【Yangtze Forum】Professor Yao Shujie from Liaoning University Delivers a Lecture at Wuhan University

On the morning of October 17, Professor Yao Shujie, Director of the Li Anmin Institute of Economic Research at Liaoning University, delivered the 227th lecture of the Yangtze Forum at the School of Economics and Management, titled “AI Development and Great Power Competition.” The forum was jointly organized by Wuhan University, the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the School of Economics and Management.

Professor Yao reviewed the evolution of AI from the introduction of the concept in 1956 to the rise of generative AI in 2020. He argued that the world is now transitioning from “generative AI,” represented by ChatGPT, to “physical AI,” characterized by autonomous decision-making and physical interaction. AI has become a core domain of strategic competition among major powers.

Professor Yao pointed out that China has established an AI innovation system characterized by the coordinated development of "institutions, markets, technologies, and talent," achieving a profound transformation from policy-driven to innovation-driven AI development. China actively participates in global AI governance and promotes the diffusion of AI technologies to the Global South through channels such as digital cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Africa intelligent projects, demonstrating its open stance as a responsible technological power.

Looking ahead, Professor Yao emphasized that the healthy development of AI cannot rely solely on singular technological breakthroughs. Instead, it requires a virtuous interplay among technological innovation, ethical norms, security safeguards, and social governance. This will help build an open, inclusive, and secure global governance system and collectively advance artificial intelligence for the benefit of human society.

Using accessible language and rich case studies, Professor Yao systematically elaborated on the development trajectory, strategic opportunities, and challenges of artificial intelligence technology. The event was lively, filled with frequent exchanges.

Professor Yao Shujie, Director of the Li Anmin Institute of Economic Research at Liaoning University, is a national high-level talent, Distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Chongqing University, an Outstanding Scientist under the Chongqing Talent Program, the inaugural Chair of the Chongqing Higher Education Economics Undergraduate Program Steering Committee, and a Fellow of the Chinese Economic Association (CEA) Europe/UK. He has been consistently listed as a Highly Cited Researcher by Elsevier and ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally. Professor Yao serves as the Leading Expert for major projects under the National Social Science Fund of China and Co-Chair of major strategic projects at the Chinese Academy of Engineering. His accolades include the Zhang Peigang Outstanding Achievement Award in Development Economics, the An Zijie Outstanding Achievement Award in International Trade, and multiple first, second, and third prizes for Outstanding Achievements in Philosophy and Social Sciences in Chongqing.

(Reporter: Wang Yijing; Reviewed by: Huang Minxue)