From July 10 to 12, the 3rd World Academicians' Forum on Advanced Science and Technology was held on Nanjing University's Suzhou campus. Jointly organized by Nanjing University, the Association of British Chinese Professors, and Jiangsu Association for Science and Technology, the forum centered on the theme "AI for Science and Technology". The event brought together top global academicians, pioneers in AI, and leading scholars in interdisciplinary fields to explore the paradigm shifts in scientific research and innovation pathways driven by AI. Attending the forum were Qiu Zhiqiang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government; Wu Qingwen, Deputy Secretary of the Suzhou Municipal Committee and Mayor of Suzhou; Tan Tieniu, Chair of NJU CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); and Dong Hongbiao, Chair of the Association of British Chinese Professors and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Tan Tieniu welcomed the attendees on behalf of NJU. He emphasized that the prosperity of science and technology leads to national prosperity, and the strength of science and technology determines national strength. As a key component of China's strategic scientific and technological capabilities, NJU is striving to accelerate its development into a world-class university with Chinese characteristics. In recent years, the Suzhou campus has become the main base for NJU's growth in emerging engineering disciplines, achieving significant progress. Tan stated that the World Academicians' Forum on Advanced Science and Technology has become an important hub for integrating "global expertise, industrial resources, and regional development," generating increasing social impact. Tan expressed hope that the forum would serve as a platform for better understanding cutting-edge scientific trends, facilitating interaction among leading experts globally, and building bridges for industry collaboration. He called on participants to work together to reach new heights in scientific innovation, venture into uncharted territories, and contribute to Chinese modernization, national rejuvenation, and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
In his speech, Wu Qingwen compared Suzhou to a "double-sided embroidery" that combines historical and cultural heritage with high-tech innovation. He emphasized that artificial intelligence is a strategic technology driving the new wave of technological and industrial transformation. In recent years, Suzhou has actively embraced the global AI development trend, promoting "AI+" to empower economic and social development. He noted that the World Academicians’ Forum on Advanced Science and Technology is a high-level international academic exchange event and industry connection platform. The themes of this year's forum, including medicine and life health, advanced manufacturing and new materials, robotics, and intelligent control, align closely with Suzhou's industrial development priorities. Wu expressed confidence that the forum would further empower Suzhou's related industries and warmly invited global talents to bring cutting-edge ideas, advanced technologies, and outstanding teams to Suzhou to explore growth opportunities and create an AI-driven era of unlimited possibilities.
Dong Hongbiao stated that the forum demonstrated the limitless potential of international scientific collaboration. He noted that top scholars and industry leaders from around the world had gathered in Suzhou to share breakthroughs in frontier science and technology, envision future development directions, and explore revolutionary applications of AI in fields such as materials science, intelligent manufacturing, robotics, and biomedicine. Together, they aim to innovate new AI-driven research paradigms, lead technological advancements, and shape a smarter, more sustainable future. Dong praised Suzhou as a city that blends millennia of cultural heritage with modern innovative vitality, striving to become a globally influential hub for scientific research. He hoped that this forum would spark intellectual collisions, foster globally impactful collaborations, and make Suzhou the fertile ground for technological breakthroughs.
During the opening ceremony, Tan Tieniu presented certificates and emblems of NJU to Zhao Xudong and Wen Xiaoling, Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering, who were appointed Distinguished Visiting Professors at Nanjing University.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Zheng Hairong, Vice President of NJU, and Academician of the CAS.
In the keynote speech session, Tan Weihong, Academician of the CAS and Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World; Dai Hongjie, Foreign Academician of the CAS and Member of the National Academy of Sciences, United States; Gu Ying, Academician of the CAS; John Loughhead, Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering; Li Jinghong, Academician of the CAS; and Chen Chunying, Academician of the CAS delivered reports. They engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as advancements in biomedicine, nanoscience, materials and measurement methods, optical applications in health, and intelligent bioanalytical chemistry for life and health. The keynote session was chaired by Wang Jinlong, Academician of the CAS; Cui Zhanfeng, Foreign Academician of the CAE and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering; and Sun Shengli, Academician of the CAS.
The forum featured thematic sessions on AI-enabled healthcare and life sciences, AI-enabled advanced manufacturing and new materials, and robotics and intelligent control. Experts and scholars engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on the latest research innovations and development directions related to these topics.
During the forum, a tree-planting activity for the "Academicians' Grove" was held, with 14 academicians planting new trees. The event was hosted by Suo Wenbin, Vice President of NJU. To date, 99 domestic and international academicians have planted saplings in the grove, symbolizing their good wishes for academic exchange and the development of higher education. Attendees also participated in the Suzhou International Scientists Roundtable and industrial innovation environment tours to further explore new pathways for AI-driven industrial transformation and regional development.
