Xi'an Jiaotong University, a prestigious university in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, launched its AI Pilot Program during an April 30 press conference. The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive "AI + education" ecosystem.

Key figures including Zhang Liqun, the university’s president and a Chinese Academy of Engineering member, along with academic luminaries Zheng Nanning, Xu Zongben, and Guan Xiaohong, members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and renowned educator Feng Boqin, attended the event.

The program focuses on addressing challenges, expanding knowledge, and enhancing skills through seven reform measures. These measures include strengthening the AI foundation, implementing teaching and research innovations, advancing scientific research practices, enhancing infrastructure, providing specialized training, fostering an AI-focused team, and enforcing supportive policies.

Xi'an Jiaotong University has been a pioneer in AI research for nearly four decades. In 1986, it established the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the first such institution in China. The university has since been recognized as a national key laboratory for human-machine hybrid intelligence and a pivotal research hub for integrating AI education into the industry.

Under the guidance of esteemed academicians, breakthroughs have been achieved in various domains such as computer vision, cognitive computing, big data algorithms, and AI system security.

Zhang Liqun (left), president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, accepts a donation from alumnus Wu Zhenhai on behalf of the school.

In recent years, Xi'an Jiaotong University has spearheaded seven significant "AI+" reform projects, introduced innovative educational models, collaborated with industry partners, and participated in national initiatives to develop AI textbooks. These efforts have laid a solid foundation for the "Artificial Intelligence Pilot Program."

Zhang Liqun announced 2025 as the "Year of Artificial Intelligence Empowerment," signaling the beginning of the program. The university aims to cultivate a new ecosystem of AI-driven education, nurturing individuals with patriotism and innovative prowess.

At the event, Xi'an Jiaotong University unveiled top educational systems for teaching assistants, including the intelligent agent DeepEdu1.0. Additionally, the Feng Boqin Award Teaching Fund was established through a generous donation, recognizing outstanding contributions to AI-enabled education.