Forum spotlights AI's role in empowering industrial development

Hosted by the Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes Around X-Lake Sciensity (X9 Alliance) and organized by the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, the 2024 X-Lake Forum opened in Shenzhen on Nov. 15.

Under the long-standing theme of “Innovation and Sustainable Development,” this year’s forum adopted an annual theme “AI Empowering Future Cities and New Quality Productive Forces” and delved into academic research on cutting-edge technologies like “artificial intelligence+,” with a focus on the convergence of AI with life and health, materials, deep earth and deep sea, and aerospace technologies.

The event attracted scholars, academicians, experts, industry leaders, university representatives, and business figures from around the world to Nanshan District to engage in discussions on technological trends and innovation.

At the opening ceremony, Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong delivered a speech declaring the forum open.

Zeng Rong, vice president of Tsinghua University, highlighted the university’s efforts in advancing AI research and education and emphasized that Tsinghua University will further deepen its cooperation with Shenzhen in the field of AI.

The X-Lake Forum is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, and the Guangdong Provincial Government to develop the X-Lake Sciensity. Now in its third edition, the forum has gained international recognition and reflects the spirit of integration and innovation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

This year’s forum features a “1+29+4” format, comprising one opening ceremony and main forum, 29 professional forums across various AI-related fields, and four supporting activities. The “X-Lake Forum Academic Month,” an event associated with the forum, is set to run until the end of November at the University Town of Shenzhen. 

It also introduced the “Open Day” initiative, opening up key laboratories and major scientific infrastructure to the public.