President Ni Explores AI Revolution with Journalists
On April 16, Professor Lionel M. Ni, President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), engaged with 80 journalists from over 50 countries at the “Lin Jia No. 7 Salon” in Beijing, delivering a speech titled “Opportunities & Risks: The AI-Driven Revolution Transforming Our Future.”
The event was moderated by Yuming Chen, Vice President of China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) and former ambassador to Sweden, Australia, and Lithuania. Ambassador Chen underscored the significance of having President Ni share his insights on the challenges AI poses to education, and how higher education institutions should respond.
In his address, President Ni explored the evolution of AI technology, offering an overview of cutting-edge research and applications, including large models, intelligent agents, and embodied intelligence. He emphasized the transformative impact of the digital revolution on the paradigms of higher education and news industry. President Ni called for breaking down barriers in global AI research and industrial collaboration to foster mutual benefits and shared success.
“The core of technological competition lies in attracting talents,” said President Ni, emphasizing that higher education must leverage technology to redefine talent cultivation models. He highlighted China’s potential to lead education reform.
President Ni also underscored the emergence of DeepSeek, describing it as a breakthrough that has significantly reduced the cost of applying large models, thereby igniting Chinese passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. He remarked on China’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, characterized by a synergy of policy, market, and research, effectively attracting substantial capital to flow into AI infrastructure.
When addressing AI competition and global governance, President Ni stressed that isolationism and protectionism are not viable solutions. He advocated for open communication, inclusivity, and balanced development.
During Q&A session, the journalists from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe engaged with President Ni on topics such as industry transformation driven by AI, global AI competition and cooperation, ethical challenges, and bridging the digital divide in the AI era for the Global South. Journalists from leading media outlets like NBC, CNBC, Jiji Press, People’s Daily, and Xinhua News Agency attended the event.
