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Humanity is currently going through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and green energy. Technological breakthroughs are not only accelerating the reconstruction of global industrial chains and value distribution mechanisms, but also profoundly reshaping the landscape of major-country competition and the global governance order. While these innovations present unprecedented opportunities for productivity and sustainable development, they amplify governance deficits, security risks, and ethical dilemmas. Algorithmic biases exacerbate inequality, while geopolitical and technological factionalism, along with fragmented governance, threaten open cooperation in economy, trade and technology. Against this backdrop, “reconfiguration” is not only an essential requirement of technological iteration and industrial upgrade, but also a vital path for the global governance system to adapt to the new landscape and prevent the world from sliding into division and confrontation.
Innovation serves as the core impetus of high-quality development, occurring in tandem with the reconstruction of economic framework and the global power landscape. Each technology revolution has triggered fundamental shifts in industrial and economic order: the First Industrial Revolution propelled the rise of industrial economy, the Electrical Revolution gave birth to large-scale manufacturing, and the Information Technology Revolution spearheaded the convergence of service industry and manufacturing industry. The emerging technological revolution is now accelerating the high-end, smart and green transformation of industrial system. Global data indicates that the contribution of technology innovation to economic growth has surged from around 10% in the early 20th century to over 70% today. It continues to spawn new industries, cultivate new forms of business, and create new demands. Achieving economic transformation through innovation is no longer merely an issue of development; it has become a core concern for national strategic security and international influence.
Global governance is the sure path to prevent technological nationalism from spiraling out of control and to achieve inclusive reconfiguration. Governance of emerging technologies, represented by artificial intelligence, must transcend national and industrial boundaries to establish a “people-oriented” consensus. The United Nations promotes the Global Digital Compact, as China has proposed establishing a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, aiming to bridge the digital divide and ensure that technological dividends benefit all humanity. Open-source collaboration and transnational technology alliances are emerging as trends, with open cooperation serving as a catalyst of equitable global development. Meanwhile, agile governance systems must be built to address the risk of technology misuse. The ecosystem of governance should be fostered by multiple players to form synergy among governments, enterprises, and international organizations. Governance efficacy should be empowered with technology to accelerate the application of cutting-edge innovations. The integration between innovation and governance should be promoted by multilateralism to safeguard the interests of development of the Global South.
The Age of Reconfiguration represents not only a transformation of the techno-economic paradigm but also a crossroads of international order and civilization forms. We confront the reality of intensifying great power rivalry, while acknowledging the fundamental reality of humanity's interconnected destiny. Only through overcoming development bottlenecks with innovation and controlling strategy competition by shared governance, can we achieve the dialectical unity of “interconnection” and “shared future”. Technology should not become a pawn in zero-sum games between major powers, but rather the cornerstone of humanity’s collective progress. Governance should not serve bloc confrontation, but instead act as a bridge to build a resilient and win-win system.
Innovation and Global governance are not only an urgent agenda for our times, but also a philosophical proposition concerning the trajectory of human civilization. Let us embrace an open and inclusive mindset, harness the wisdom of collaborative progress, and maintain a sense of responsibility for the future as we jointly write a new chapter of the intelligent era.
