AI+ weight loss enters the "national" track! The "Healthy ChinaAI+ Weight Management Leading" industry seminar was held in Beijing, launching the first national weight loss exchange platform.

On October 22, the "Healthy ChinaAI + Weight Management Leading the Way" industry collaborative innovation seminar (referred to as the seminar) was successfully held at the National People's Congress Center, under the guidance of the CHINA FOODS Pharmaceutical Enterprise Quality and Safety Promotion Association, organized by the CHINA FOODS Pharmaceutical Enterprise Quality and Safety Promotion Association Food Safety Working Committee, and hosted by FANGZHOU JIANKE (06086). At the seminar, speeches were given by CHINA FOODS Pharmaceutical Enterprise Quality and Safety Promotion Association President Mao Zhenbin, representative guidance and hosting units. Experts, scholars, and business representatives, including Professor Chen Runsheng from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Ren Fazheng from the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering of China Agricultural University, Professor Yu Xiaodong, former Deputy Director of the Economic Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, Chairman of the China Big Health Industry Alliance, and Director of the National Public Nutrition Improvement Project Steering Committee, Dr. Xie Fangmin, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of FANGZHOU JIANKE, and Qian Lei, Chief R&D Officer of INNOVENT BIO Pharmaceutical Group, joined hands to promote the standardization and normalization of the weight management industry, and explore the innovative application of AI technology in weight management. The seminar also announced the official launch of the "Healthy ChinaAI + Weight Management Leading the Way" nationwide initiative, where participants jointly issued a "scientific weight loss" ecological initiative. These actions not only signify the official establishment of the first national academic exchange platform for weight loss but also indicate that the field of weight management is moving towards a new stage of development from "single-point innovation" to "ecological upgrade." Policy and technology are driving together to promote the standardized development of weight management. Currently, the scale of overweight and obese people in China continues to expand. The "2021 China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report" shows that in 2019, 11.98% of cardiovascular disease deaths in China were attributed to high BMI (high body mass index, i.e., obesity). At the same time, overweight poses a challenge to individuals' quality of life, and obesity-related healthcare costs also impose a heavy burden on the national economy. It is predicted that by 2030, medical expenses attributable to overweight and obesity will reach 418 billion yuan, accounting for approximately 21.5% of the total medical expenditures in China. "The traditional way of weight management has many pain points. The theme of this seminar, 'Healthy ChinaAI + Weight Management Leading the Way,' is of profound significance at the moment," said Mao Zhenbin, President of the CHINA FOODS Pharmaceutical Enterprise Quality and Safety Promotion Association. He believes that the widespread application of AI technology in the field of weight management is an inevitable trend, but issues such as data security, algorithm ethics, and service norms that come with it should also receive attention from all sectors of society. Mao Zhenbin said, "To focus on the standardization of the weight management field, it is necessary to establish a national-level communication platform between research, academia, industry, and regulatory authorities. This platform should attract more responsible industry representatives like FANGZHOU JIANKE to join in, explore together to establish technical standards, evaluation systems, and regulatory frameworks that are adapted to AI-empowered health services, guide the industry to develop in an orderly and high-quality manner, and truly benefit the people with technological innovation." To promote "AI+ weight management" for the benefit of the people, it is crucial to not only focus on regulatory changes but also to change the unscientific weight loss concepts among the public. Professor Yu Xiaodong, former Deputy Director of the Economic Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, Chairman of the China Big Health Industry Alliance, and Director of the National Public Nutrition Improvement Project Steering Committee, shared his thoughts on "Big Health Concept, Culture, and Weight Management." He suggested that there are still misconceptions among Chinese residents about weight management, such as the emphasis on results over the process and a focus on dieting over exercise, which are not aligned with the scientific weight management concepts advocated by the big health culture. "Weight management is not just a technical activity but a combination of culture and technology," said Yu Xiaodong. He recommended that weight management should start with approaches that are more suited to the masses, such as reinstating public radio exercises, mass sports events, etc., to transform slogans like "control your mouth, move your legs" into daily habits. Furthermore, it is essential to lead with the big health culture, harness the powerful influence of culture, and motivate participants to actively engage in weight management. Finally, the weight management field should establish normative documents covering industry standards, effect evaluations, etc., to ensure that weight management is truly universal and scientific. The practical implementation of "AI+ weight management" requires companies to explore new pathways in weight management, bridging the gap between technological research and public demand to facilitate the tangible implementation of services for the people. At the seminar, Dr. Xie Fangmin, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of FANGZHOU JIANKE, shared the company's exploratory achievements in the field of "AI+ weight loss." He explained, "The weight loss process heavily relies on continuous and personalized behavioral interventions, and this is precisely where AI technology can add the most value. For example, AI can learn deeply to generate personalized weight loss suggestions for users. AI can also surpass human limitations and provide timely reminders and encouragement to users when needed, achieving precise management by 'knowing users better as they use.'" Drawing on years of accumulated resources in chronic disease management and data advantages, FANGZHOU JIANKE has developed the industry's first "AI + weight loss" intelligence solution, utilizing the AI Doctor Assistant, AI Health Butler, AI Medication Assistant to link between medical professionals and patients. Through AI-enabled weight loss services throughout the process, users not only receive personalized weight loss suggestions but also access round-the-clock online consultation services, making the weight loss process safer and more scientific. "Looking overseas, there are application platforms developed for weight loss like Noom, Hims & Hers, which also utilize AI technology in weight management. It can be seen that 'AI+ weight loss' is a validated and worthwhile service sector globally, and it is a key direction for our future efforts," said Dr. Xie Fangmin. In addition to innovative service models, research and development of weight loss innovating drugs is also a focal point of attention. Qian Lei, Chief R&D Officer of INNOVENT BIO Pharmaceutical Group, shared his views on "Innovative Drugs in China Empowering Healthy China, Empowering Weight Management." He mentioned that with the development of biotechnology, the research and development of weight loss innovative drugs have shifted from traditional appetite suppressants to new types of drugs that act on metabolic pathways, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of drugs. "AI technology also plays an essential role in the drug development process: it can accelerate processes like drug molecule screening, clinical trial designing, and shorten the development cycle," Qian Lei stated. INNOVENT BIO Pharmaceutical Group is also exploring innovative paths combining AI technology with drug development while strengthening cooperation with industry partners to promote the implementation of the intelligence solution of "AI+ weight loss" through "innovative drug treatment + lifestyle intervention," providing more accurate treatment options for users with different weight bases and health conditions, benefiting more patients worldwide. Building a collaborative ecosystem for all parties involved, the nationwide initiative of "AI+ weight management" launched a new chapter for the public good. Research institutions predict that the Chinese slimming drug market will grow strongly, exceeding 50 billion yuan by 2030. The weight loss market has tremendous development potential, so how can various advantages be leveraged to promote industry-wide collaborative innovation? This is the core issue facing the weight management field. The seminar clearly stated that under the leadership of the CHINA FOODS Pharmaceutical Enterprise Quality and Safety Promotion Association, regulatory agencies, academic experts, and business are encouraged to collaborate, establishing a national-level communication platform for the standardized and normalized development of "AI+ weight management," providing the path for the implementation of "AI+ weight loss" services. In light of this, a group of experts formally launched the "Healthy ChinaAI + Weight Management Leading the Way" nationwide initiative and issued a call for actioncalling for more research institutions, medical institutions, and industry participants to join in the ecological initiative of "scientific weight loss," utilizing the national-level weight-loss academic exchange platform to promote industry resource sharing, technical exchanges, and bring the concept of scientific weight loss to a broader audience. The seminar attendees stated that the convening of this seminar signifies a new stage of collaborative innovation and ecosystem-building for weight management. Looking ahead, with the advancement of the "Healthy ChinaAI + Weight Management Leading the Way" nationwide initiative and the continuous improvement of the national-level weight loss exchange platform, it will inject strong momentum into achieving the "Healthy China 2030" goal and drive the high-quality development of the big health industry.