On October 24th, the Haidian District forum for young talents in artificial intelligence, part of the fifth “Intelligent Gathering: Haidian” Talent Theme Week, took place in Beijing. The event, themed “Harnessing AI Talents for a New Era of Innovation,” aimed to explore effective pathways for the integrated development of education, technology, and talent, while also broadening avenues for cultivating, attracting, and retaining skilled individuals.
Haidian District is recognized as a hub for talent, characterized by a significant pool of highly qualified individuals. The district plays a crucial role in the technological innovation and socio-economic development of the capital, housing a remarkable number of top-notch AI scientists and industry leaders. Notably, there are over 12,300 scholars in the field of artificial intelligence, making up more than 80% of the city’s total. Additionally, 101 of the top scholars on the AI 2000 global list hail from Haidian, representing over 80% of Beijing’s honorees.
Chen Weicheng, Vice Chairman of the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, stated that the Beijing Science and Technology Exchange Academic Month has become a significant platform for academic collaboration and innovation. The Haidian District forum is a key event in this month-long initiative. He expressed a commitment to leveraging organizational strengths to serve the city’s million-strong tech workforce, promoting innovation, and enhancing the collaboration between government, industry, academia, and research in artificial intelligence. This effort aims to expand the scope and depth of academic exchange, providing more opportunities for young tech talents and encouraging them to establish themselves in Haidian and Beijing while reaching for the international stage.
Yang Renquan, Deputy Secretary of the Haidian District Committee, shared insights on the district’s collaborative efforts with elite institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence. These partnerships focus on cultivating leading talents and fostering deep integration between technological and industrial innovation. A series of policies has been released to promote Haidian as a global destination for innovative talent in AI.
He further highlighted that Haidian is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for various talent development initiatives, including establishing a youth fund and implementing programs like the “Ignite Together” and “Haitai Talent Plan.” These initiatives are designed to support early-stage startups and young talent while enhancing international collaboration to attract diverse global talent, making Haidian a thriving center for AI innovation and entrepreneurship.
Academician Xie Jianxin of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Beijing University of Technology delivered a speech on “Intelligent Technology in New Materials,” discussing the tangible impacts of AI in materials science. He emphasized that intelligent experimental systems and digital twins represent the future of material experimentation. Over the past decade, intelligent material technology has garnered global attention, evolving rapidly as a cutting-edge technology that addresses fundamental challenges in material development, such as efficiency and cost. Presently, the data-driven approach to materials research has become a widely accepted paradigm.
The event was guided by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, hosted by the Haidian District Association for Science and Technology, and organized by the Haidian District Innovation and Entrepreneurship Service Association, with support from several key local organizations.
