Tsinghua University Hosts Fifth Global Forum on AI-Driven Computer Science Development

On April 12, Tsinghua University hosted the fifth edition of the Global Computer Science Development Forum in the Ziqiang Science and Technology Building. The event, which combined on-site and online participation, focused on the theme "Computer Science Development in the AI Era." Key figures, including former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chen Yuan, Turing Award winner and Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University Yao Qizhi, and Vice President of Tsinghua University Bai Benfeng, delivered opening remarks. Chen Yuan emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative platform for global computer science communication. He highlighted that the forum’s mission is to promote dialogue and cooperation, enabling shared knowledge and driving the future of computer science for the benefit of global society. He expressed hope that this forum would build consensus, explore new avenues for leveraging computer science to enhance university quality, and develop innovative talent cultivation models. Yao Qizhi, speaking from a remote location, noted that AI is no longer a distant dream but a transformative force redefining industries, societies, and human potential. The development of large models and other AI advancements have been fueled by dedicated researchers globally, contributing significantly to the field of computer science. Yao also stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, pointing out that the integration of computer science with fields such as biology, medicine, engineering, and humanities has led to groundbreaking technological breakthroughs and new challenges. He encouraged participants to engage in discussions about how AI can reshape scientific discovery, transform industries, and redefine human-machine collaboration. Bai Benfeng, on behalf of Tsinghua University, welcomed the attendees and reflected on the achievements of the previous forum. He stated that the Global Computer Science Development Forum aims to bring together deans and department heads from renowned universities worldwide to address fundamental issues in computer science, enhance educational quality, and foster discipline growth. In the new era where traditional disciplines are being reshaped by AI, he urged the scholars to explore the trends and interdisciplinary paths in computer science with renewed urgency, aiming to form new global consensus and collectively advance the field. The first half of the forum featured keynote speeches by distinguished speakers. Jack Dongarra, a Turing Award laureate and professor at the University of Tennessee, Samuel Madden, the Head of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at MIT, and H. V. Jagadish, Director of the Michigan Institute for Data Science and a professor at the University of Michigan, addressed topics such as advancements in computer science and AI at MIT, ethical considerations in the AI era, and the role of computation and data science in the AI age. In the following panel discussion, Yao Qizhi, Jack Dongarra, and the three keynote speakers delved deeper into the impact of AI on computer science development. The second half of the forum continued with keynotes from Pierre Senellart, Director of the Computer Science Graduate Program at PSL University in Paris, Ping Ji, Director of the Master of Data Science Program and Executive Officer of the Ph.D. Computer Science Program at the City University of New York, and Qing Li, Head of the Department of Electronic Computing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Their presentations covered themes including qualitative assessment in computer science academic careers, accessible education ecosystems, and knowledge graph-based frameworks for student advising and career planning. A subsequent panel discussion focused on talent development in the AI era. Xiangyang Li, Executive Dean of the School of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Science and Technology of China, and Cong Wang, Head of the Department of Computer Science at the City University of Hong Kong, joined the three keynote speakers to explore the evolving landscape of talent cultivation in the AI-driven world. The forum was ably chaired by Xia Yin, Head of the Computer Science Department at Tsinghua University, and Guoliang Li, Deputy Head of the same department. Attendees, both on-site and online, engaged in lively and insightful discussions throughout the event. The Global Computer Science Development Forum, initiated in 2018 by Tsinghua University, is a high-profile international platform dedicated to exploring the essence of computer science and fostering global development in the field. It has garnered significant attention and participation from computer science scholars worldwide.