Dr. Salvatore Aricò, an Italian biologist, ecologist, oceanographer and marine policy expert, has worked at the science-policy interface for nearly 30 years, contributing to initiatives such as the Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, as well as the Global Environment Outlook and Global Biodiversity Outlook.

He spoke with Science and Technology Daily at the recent 2025 World Science and Technology Development Forum in Beijing, to share his views on how AI accelerates scientific and technological development, how to better govern AI development and application, and the necessity of international collaboration in the AI era.

AI accelerates sci-tech development

It is widely acknowledged within the scientific community that the use of AI could accelerate scientific discovery, redefine the boundaries of scientific research, and make knowledge more accessible.

Aricò said that, in the AI era, large language models and AI are the two most promising areas that could lead to new discoveries and progress in scientific and technological development, especially with regard to environmental sustainability.

Advancements in sensing and measurement technologies have led to an explosion of data in the physical and biological sciences. AI is essential for efficiently analyzing and interpreting data on this scale, which is critical for areas such as environmental health, advanced materials and energy systems, he said.

In manufacturing, AI is already transforming the early stages of discovery, reducing the time needed to progress from experimentation to scalable solutions. "Today the findings of scientific research, observations, the analyses of ensuing data, models, projections and forecast — all these efforts driven by science and technology, cannot remain in an ivory tower, in a scientific bubble," Aricò said, adding that AI is a powerful tool to accelerate sci-tech development and bring real benefits to all people.

AI governance is necessary

According to Palo Alto Networks, IBM and Domino Data Lab, AI governance comprises the policies, principles and practices that guide the responsible and ethical development, deployment and use of AI systems. The aim is to ensure that AI innovation is aligned with organizational goals, while mitigating risks such as bias, privacy violations, security threats and a lack of accountability.

To make the most of AI's power and unlock its full potential, Aricò said AI governance is necessary to manage risks, ensure ethical use and maintain accountability for AI systems, which are increasingly influencing critical decisions in areas such as hiring and finance.

People are now divided by the threats and opportunities that AI poses. "You need to assess the positive and negative impacts of AI, then decide how much this new technology should be regulated," Aricò said, adding that a balance must be struck between allowing science and technology to unfold independently and managing their development and application within a framework.

International cooperation is essential

The world in which we live is characterized by multiple crises and increased polarization. However, it is also a world rich in opportunities, in which science and technology can contribute to actionable solutions, Aricò noted.

"Making sure the knowledge generated through science is actionable is not an easy endeavour. It requires international cooperation," he said. In addition, he believes that scientists from around the world should collaborate with each other, and policymakers from all countries should fully understand the importance of science and technology cooperation.

"These efforts also entail the need to educate the next generation of scientists — scientists who can understand complex problems through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary methods, and provide meaningful, timely and non-prescriptive advice to policymakers," he said.

Last year, the International Science Council (ISC) announced a partnership with the China Association for Science and Technology, relating to early- and mid-career scientists. This partnership will nurture early- and mid-career scientists from China through dedicated efforts. "In the future, we'll have more and more collaboration projects with ISC members," Arico said.