While others brought laptops to APEC, I brought a pair of smart glasses.

These are no ordinary glasses—they are smart eyewear developed by INMO Tech, a homegrown Sichuan company. On July 23, I wore them to interview delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region at the APEC event. Headquartered in Chenghua District, Chengdu, the company is now valued at RMB 2 billion, making it a true 'Sichuan dark horse'.

A reporter conducted an on-site interview using 'Sichuan-made' eyeglasses

Equipped with real-time simultaneous interpretation, first-person perspective recording, and AI-powered teleprompter functions, the glasses streamline my workflow. In the past, interviews required carrying bulky equipment and taking handwritten notes; now, with just a glance, guests' remarks are automatically translated into Chinese and displayed before my eyes.

This year marks China's third time hosting APEC, with the Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting held in Chengdu, drawing digital economy leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to discuss AI governance, digital trade, and innovation cooperation. Foreign delegates showed great curiosity about the glasses, and when they learned they were made in Sichuan, I proudly replied, "Made in Sichuan".

Behind these lightweight glasses—weighing only a few dozen grams—lies Sichuan's comprehensive intelligent industry chain, which enables a fully localized closed loop spanning optical manufacturing, algorithm development, application scenarios, and content ecosystems. While many international guests still associate Sichuan primarily with giant pandas and hotpot, today's Sichuan has emerged as a major hub for China's digital economy and high-end manufacturing.

Hard data underscores this transformation: Sichuan covers all 41 major industrial categories and 31 major manufacturing subsectors nationwide. The province is home to more than 1,900 artificial intelligence enterprises, which generated over RMB 190 billion in revenue last year—a growth rate exceeding 20%. From Dongfang Electric's intelligent heavy equipment and Changhong's industrial AI large models to INMO's consumer-grade devices, 'Sichuan-made' products are steadily increasing their 'intelligence quotient'.

The decision to host APEC Digital Week events in Sichuan reflects not only the region's technological prowess but also its rich array of real-world application scenarios. Today, these glasses assist me in conducting interviews at the conference venue; tomorrow, they may guide visitors at panda reserves or support factory inspections, seamlessly integrating into everyday life. As Sichuan transitions from 'manufacturing' to 'intelligent manufacturing', it is showcasing not just products, but a forward-looking spirit of innovation aimed squarely at the Asia-Pacific region.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】