RECAP | 2024 CICC Business Roundtable in Shanghai

On Friday, December 13th, the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce (CICC) hosted its Business Roundtable at the Bellagio Hotel in Shanghai. With the intriguing theme, Is AI a Threat to Our Christmas and New Year Celebrations? The Possible Impacts of AI on Our Daily Life and Business, the event brought together prominent experts from various industries to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, business, and our everyday lives.

After a quick greeting speech by Lorenzo Riccardi, Chairman of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, who welcomed participants and highlighted the Chamber’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue on issues shaping the future of business and society, the event began with two insightful keynote speeches from Vojko Bratina, Science & Technology Counsellor at the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, Hayden Zheng, Senior Expert at McKinsey & Co. and Lambert Bu, Senior Partner at McKinsey Digital Greater China, who delved deeper into the transformative potential of AI in reshaping businesses.

Their speeches set the stage for an engaging discussion on the rapidly evolving role of AI, from automation in business to its broader implications on cultural and social events, including the upcoming holiday season.

The highlight of the event was the panel discussion, which featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders, offering diverse perspectives on AI's role in shaping the future of business and society. Panelists included:

• Bill Russo, Founder and CEO of Automobility Limited;
• Giuseppe Cattaneo, President of Ferrari Greater China;
• Haoran Wang, Data & AI Solution Architect Director at Alibaba Cloud International;
• Harry Hui, Founder and Managing Partner of ClearVue Partners;
• Joe Chang, Managing Director and Senior Leader at Prosperity 7 Ventures;
• Mario Huang, General Manager at Intesa Sanpaolo Shanghai Branch.

The discussion delved deep into AI’s potential to disrupt industries, its ethical considerations, and its impact on holiday traditions raising questions about how automation, AI-driven customer service, and smart technologies could change the way we celebrate, travel, and shop during the festive season.

The Q&A sessions that followed the keynote speeches and the panel discussion provided an excellent opportunity for the audience to engage directly with the experts. Attendees asked thought-provoking questions about AI’s future, its societal impact, and how businesses can prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Under the expert moderation of Mauro Maggioni, CICC Vice-Chairman for East China, the roundtable wrapped up with a sense of excitement and curiosity about the future of AI. The event not only highlighted the transformative power of AI but also fostered meaningful discussions on how companies and individuals can navigate its complexities as we approach the new year.

The 2024 CICC Shanghai Business Roundtable was a resounding success, providing valuable insights into the impact of AI on business and society. We thank all our speakers, panelists, and attendees for their contributions to a dynamic and thought-provoking evening.

A special thank you goes to our F&B sponsor, De'Longhi, for providing coffee and refreshments during the afternoon session, and to our technical sponsor, Natuzzi.

Stay tuned for more exciting events from the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce in 2025!