Nio's li bin argues AI should augment human life, not diminish its purpose, highlighting auto industry's AI potential

During the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen on November 4, 2026, NIO founder and CEO Li Bin delivered a keynote address, positioning intelligent electric vehicles as the most significant application sector for Artificial Intelligence. Li Bin emphasized that the core value of AI must be to make human work safer and easier, rather than eroding the meaning of human existence. He noted that the global automotive industry, encompassing parts, vehicles, sales, services, and finance, is valued between $7 trillion and $9 trillion. The integration of AI into this sector is projected to generate over $1.2 trillion in commercial value. Addressing the societal impact, Li Bin pointed out that global drivers accumulate over 1.5 billion driving hours daily, and road traffic fatalities exceed 1.16 million annually. He asserted that the primary benefit of intelligent driving is not job displacement for drivers but rather the liberation of human energy and a reduction in accidents.