【Luojia Lecture】Professor Ji Weidong Lectures on Techno-Accelerationism and Artificial Intelligence Regulation

On November 7, Professor Ji Weidong, Senior Professor in the Humanities and Member of the University Council of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dean of the China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies, and Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence Governance and Law, delivered an academic lecture titled “Techno-Accelerationism and Artificial Intelligence Regulation” as the 513th Luojia Lecture at Wuhan University. Professor Feng Guo, Dean of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of Wuhan University, presented him with the Luojia Lecture commemorative plaque, while Professor Qin Tianbao, Dean of the School of Law of Wuhan University, chaired the event. This Luojia Lecture was co-organized by the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences of Wuhan University and the School of Law of Wuhan University.

From the perspective of philosophy and legal philosophy, Professor Ji introduced his reflections on artificial intelligence research, revealing the “accelerationist” characteristics of AI policies across various countries. Addressing the “Kollingridge dilemma” of AI governance, he compared governance models in the EU, United States, China, and Singapore, providing a detailed analysis of their respective strengths and weaknesses. He further proposed a “technology–procedure-oriented” model of AI governance, which places due process at the center of technical responses to ethical challenges, and grounds the pursuit of trustworthy AI in the communicative interaction between humans and machines. Professor Ji then compared China’s and the United States’ AI action plans, identifying emerging consensus on the global cooperation framework for AI and emphasizing the positive significance of the Chinese approach in reshaping the international order of AI governance.

During the commentary session, Professor Feng Guo highly praised Professor Ji’s insightful lecture, noting that philosophical reflections on AI are not only of great theoretical significance but also valuable for reexamining current governance models. He offered his own perspectives on key issues, including the value orientation and methodological implications of AI procedural governance, the ethical strategies embedded in technologies, and China’s role in the global AI governance landscape.

In the subsequent Q&A session, the atmosphere was lively as faculty and students posed questions based on their research interests. Professor Ji responded with in-depth explanations to each inquiry.

According to available information, Professor Ji is Senior Professor in the Humanities and Member of the University Council at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Dean of the China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies, and Director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence Governance and Law. He also serves as President of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law of the Shanghai Law Society, President of the Computational Law Society of the China Computer Federation, Founding Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Asian Journal of Law and Society, and Co-Chair of the UNU Global AI Network Advisory Council. He has previously served as a designated Board Member of the Research Committee on Sociology of Law of the International Sociological Association (RCSL of ISA) and Editorial Board Member of the International Journal of the Sociology of Law.