On April 1, Shi Yong, Academician of both the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, as well as Chair Professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, was invited to deliver a lecture at CUEB. He presented a special report titled “The Development and Future of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)” at the 8^th Session of the Beijing Digital Economy. Before the report, Ouyang Qin, Deputy Party Secretary of CUEB, presented him with a commemorative certificate.

Shi systematically reviewed the development evolution of big data and AI, compared AI policies between China and the United States, and introduced China’s three-step strategy for the “AI+” initiative. He noted that China’s core AI industry has exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan, yet the country must still achieve breakthroughs in high-end chips and core algorithms. He shared application cases, such as the national personal credit scoring system and the health big data platform, and offered six policy recommendations, emphasizing the dual-driver approach of application-driven development and basic research. He also urged students to seize opportunities in the digital economy, strengthen their disciplinary foundations, and enhance cross-disciplinary thinking and human-machine collaboration skills.

During the Q&A session, students raised questions about the impact of AI on employment and its relationship with blockchain technology. Shi stated that AI would displace routine jobs while also creating new roles. Blockchain, he added, can provide trusted data and secure ownership verification for AI, and that their integration can enable applications in areas such as credit reporting and supply chains.

Nearly 600 faculty and students attended the lecture.