From January 14 to 17, the eighth Nan'ao Science Conference titled “Science via AI (SCIviaAI)”, hosted by Guangdong Science and Technology Department and Shantou Municipal People's Government, and organized by Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation, and Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), was held in Nan'ao Island, Shantou.

Yang Jun, Deputy Director-general of Guangdong Science and Technology Department, Peng Congen, Deputy Mayor of Shantou, Liu Qiang, Division Director of the Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences of National Natural Science Foundation of China, and Prof. Gong Xingao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chancellor of GTIIT, attended the meeting and delivered speeches.

In his speech, Yang Jun fully affirmed the significance of Nan'ao Science Conference, and the forward-looking theme of this conference. He mentioned Guangdong has achieved positive results in scientific and technological innovation and will further attract talents.

Prof. Gong Xingao introduced the achievements and purposes of the conference, and the vision and gaining of GTIIT to the guests. He hoped the attendees would fully exchange ideas and provide valuable suggestions for the high-quality development of the industry.

Nearly 40 experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, University of Science and Technology of China, etc. gathered together to discuss their latest research progress, and how to return to science itself in the wave of AI for Science. New ideas and applications brought by AI for mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials and other disciplines were also delved into. Prof. Michele Parrinello, Foreign Academician of CAS, Prof. E Weinan and Prof. Duan Wenhui, Academicians of CAS, etc. attended the meeting online and offline.

In a warm ambience, a number of scholars delivered keynote reports surrounding the frontier issues of AI and the audience raised questions actively. Several professors praised the conference as a high-level one, which would highly contribute to their further research.

The conference also set up a roundtable discussion session to motivate divergent thinking, and effectively promote the cross-integration of artificial intelligence and other disciplines.

Nan'ao Science Conference

Since the inception of Nan'ao Science Conference in February last year, eight academic conferences have been held, attracting more than 200 experts and scholars to discuss topics on basic research, quantum materials and manipulation, high-efficiency integration of optoelectronics, etc. It has played a vital role in fostering the development of related fields.

Focusing on basic research and talent training in basic academic disciplines, GTIIT, as the Secretary Office unit and one of the organizers of the Nan'ao Science Conference, has ensured the Conference's continued success while adhering to municipal strategy, to help build the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a global highland for basic research and original innovation.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs