The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) hosted its third annual conference on Digital Governance in China on November 19, 2024, focusing on the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets. Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, competition in generative AI and large language models has intensified. The conference began with a discussion on the evolving landscape of AI development and governance in China, a topic that has become central to contemporary geopolitics and international governance. The conversation then shifted to a parallel rise in interest surrounding distributed ledger technologies such as blockchain, as well as digital assets more broadly, including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and others. In particular, the conference examined digital assets in Hong Kong and the development of CBDCs in mainland China in the global context. Innovation in digital assets is also flourishing in other jurisdictions, including East Asia, India and the Middle East. Looking ahead, significant developments are expected in the United States following the second Trump administration, which is expected to embrace crypto-friendly regulatory and legislative environments.