Lecture on Exploration and Practice of Digital Transformation of Traditional Enterprises in the AI Era Successfully Held

On the evening of April 19, 2025, the 42nd lecture of the "Digital Economy and Management Grand Lecture Hall" hosted by BNUBS, titled Exploration and Practice of Digital Transformation of Traditional Enterprises in the AI Era, was held in the lecture hall of the Electronic Building. This lecture specially invited Wang Rong, the Digital Transformation Director of Michelin China, as the keynote speaker. Zhou Jianghua, the director of the MBA Education Center, presided over the lecture, and more than 150 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students from the School attended.

Keynote Speaker: Wang Rong

Mr. Wang Rong first briefly introduced the main business areas of Michelin and put forward the core vision that "everything is sustainable". Subsequently, starting from the necessity of digital transformation in today's era, through multiple cases of digital positioning evolving from an enabler to a driver and then to a leader, he demonstrated the different stages of digital transformation that Michelin, a traditional enterprise, has undergone. From the official launch stage, which helps the enterprise build business - oriented digital capabilities, to the DTC business transformation that shifts to a new consumer - centric positioning, the achievements of digital transformation bring traditional enterprises not only simple data assets but also integration into the local digital ecosystem. Moreover, the scientific measurement of digital transformation KPIs requires mature strategies from managers.

Mr. Wang Rong also delved into the investment strategies of traditional enterprises in AI when the AI era sets off a wave of change. Through cases such as AI customer service robots and generative AI assistants, he emphasized that the investment approach of "taking small steps and moving quickly" can effectively help traditional enterprises build confidence and capabilities in AI applications, improve enterprise operation efficiency, and enhance data - driven work thinking. At the same time, continuously focusing on core capabilities and accumulating the business value of digital transformation can steadily promote the adaptation of traditional enterprises to the development and changes of the digital economy era in the long - term.

Teachers and students listening on site

Finally, Mr. Wang Rong concluded that digital technology is the core productive force. He put forward valuable suggestions regarding digital transformation and AI exploration and practice, and emphasized that traditional enterprises should deeply cultivate the creation of a digital culture and the cultivation of talents. After the lecture, Wang Rong actively interacted with the students, answering their questions.

Mr. Wang Rong's wonderful speech left the students in the audience feeling enriched. The lecture introduced valuable cases and experiences regarding the digital transformation of traditional enterprises, deepening the students' thinking about digital transformation in the digital - intelligence era. This lecture ended successfully amidst warm applause from teachers and students.

Introduction to the "Digital Economy and Management Grand Lecture Hall" Series

Adhering to the mission of "Promoting business and culture to serve the nation and the world by creating knowledge and developing talents", BNUBS has been continuously paying attention to the development and practice of the digital economy and management. Since September 2020, it has held the "Frontier Series Lectures on Digital Economy and Management", with 41 lectures held so far. Since May 2023, this series of lectures has been officially upgraded to the "Digital Economy and Management Grand Lecture Hall", presenting the current development landscape of the digital economy and management from the perspectives of economy, management, culture, technology, and change. It aims to interpret the connotations and laws within this surging trend, and guide deeper thinking and practical promotion of China's economic development in the new economic era, as well as enterprise transformation and innovation.

From April to June 2025, the "Digital Economy and Management Grand Lecture Hall" will successively invite 5 heavyweight experts to give lectures and share their insights.We welcome you to follow and participate.

Contributed by MBA Education Center

Edited by Zhou Jianghua, Zhang Li

Reviewed by Hu Conghui