Peking University, December 16, 2024: From December 4 to 5, the “AI + New Materials” International Forum was held at PKU’s Shenzhen Graduate School. The Forum was led by PKU’s Shenzhen Graduate School and hosted by both the School of Advanced Materials and the School of Materials Science and Engineering. Close to hundred experts, scholars, and students from Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau gathered together to attend expert presentations and sub-forums. 

The Forum explored the integration of AI and materials science from various perspectives, which can help to enhance academic exchanges and establish new international collaboration platforms with Southeast Asia, thereby contributing valuable insights to the Belt and Road initiative.

Attendees at the Forum

The opening ceremony was held at the Shenzhen University Town International Conference Center. Zou Ruqiang, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering delivered an opening speech emphasizing the importance of collaborating with ASEAN universities, such as through academic cooperation, exchanges among teachers and building a joint laboratory. Zhang Jin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice President of PKU then presented a keynote speech titled “Can AI Change the Research Paradigm in Materials Science”, discussing AI’s transformative potential in materials research.

Zou Ruqiang

Zhang Jin

Professors from various universities then presented on using AI to design catalysts, develop intelligent sensors, and create integrated systems for diagnosis and treatment.

Professors from different universities

The afternoon featured thematic sub-forums which focused on the applications of AI in synthesizing new stable materials to improve research efficiency and to address scientific challenges. The sub-forums continued into the morning of December 5, which dived into using both AI and new materials in the development of new energy, multi-functional materials and graphene wires.

In his closing speech, Xiao Yinguo, Dean of the School of Advanced Materials spoke about the potential of AI technology in materials research and its influence on both industrial and social development.

Xiao Yinguo

Over the course of two days, the Forum attracted a vibrant mix of participants who actively took part in discussions. The Forum marks a new era in the integration of AI with new materials, promising to drive global technological innovations and sustainable development.

Group photo

Written by: Yang Yimeng
Edited by: Rachel Lee
Source: PKU News (Chinese)