The 2025 Tengchong Scientists Forum kicked off on Saturday in Tengchong, Yunnan Province, in southwest China, bringing together top global scientists and academic leaders to explore breakthroughs in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, biodiversity, and quantum science. The event features Nobel laureate in Physics Konstantin Novoselov, Fields Medalist Efim Zelmanov, and Turing Award winner Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, alongside 127 academicians, 77 university presidents from China and abroad, over 400 scholars, and more than 600 entrepreneurs and investors. Centered on the theme “Science · AI Changing the World,” the forum includes ten sub-forums, academic sessions, and thematic events designed to foster collaboration between cutting-edge research and industrial innovation. It aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application, reinforcing its role as a key platform for global scientific exchange. Several major publications were unveiled for the first time, including the Technology Foresight and Future Vision Report, the Top 10 Technology Transfer Cases, the Top 10 Academic Achievements of 2025, and the Top 10 Science and Technology Cooperation Initiatives. These releases underscore the forum’s growing influence in shaping the future of science and technology. A highlight of this year’s event is the launch of the Tengchong Young Scientist Award, recognizing exceptional researchers under the age of 40 across ten disciplines—mathematics, physics, life sciences, materials science, ecology, aerospace, and interdisciplinary arts and sciences—for their contributions to fundamental research or technological advancement. The forum draws inspiration from the legacy of the National Southwest Associated University, renowned for its resilience and academic excellence during wartime. Co-organized by Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University, it includes a University Presidents Forum led by Peking University, where global academic leaders discussed integrated strategies for advancing education, scientific research, and talent development. To strengthen international collaboration, the event welcomed over 180 experts, scholars, and business leaders from 26 countries. New initiatives were announced under the Lancang–Mekong cooperation framework, including the “Wisdom Yunnan” program and the Lancang–Mekong National Science and Innovation Competition, which aim to expand opportunities for young scientists across South and Southeast Asia. Organizers noted that past editions of the forum have successfully built lasting ties with global academic and industry networks, leading to landmark outcomes such as the Declaration of the Tengchong Scientists Forum and the establishment of the Tengchong Science Award. These efforts have also facilitated numerous talent recruitment campaigns and investment projects, reinforcing the forum’s impact on the global scientific ecosystem.