From March 28 to 29, 2026, the international high-level academic event Free Rein: Global Youth AI Forum was successfully held in Shenzhen. The forum was jointly organized by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) and SLAI, co-organized by Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS).

The forum brought together nearly one hundred international scholars and outstanding young AI talents selected from around the world, representing leading universities including the University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and National University of Singapore, as well as top industry organizations such as Microsoft Research Asia and Meta. Together, they forged a premier AI-themed gathering integrating top-notch academic sharing, in-depth cross-sector exchanges, and targeted talent matchmaking.

Capturing Every Moment of the Two-day Grand Event!

Click the Video Above 
to Relive the Highlights of the Global Youth AI Forum

[Leading Voices]

Insights into the Frontiers of AI

The opening ceremony was held at the Sin Wai Kin International Conference Centre at CUHK-Shenzhen. Professor Huang Jianwei, Chair of the Forum Organizing Committee, Associate Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen, and Dean of the School of Science and Engineering, served as the opening host. He warmly welcomed outstanding young AI scholars and educators from around the world and invited talented researchers committed to advancing the frontiers of academia to join in building an innovative and dynamic academic community with broad future prospects.

Professor Huang Jianwei delivers the opening remarks

Academician Xu Yangsheng, Co-Chair of the Forum and the President of CUHK-Shenzhen, delivered the opening keynote address. President Xu introduced the university's educational philosophy and global development strategy, while outlining its disciplinary strengths and future directions in frontier fields such as AI, data science, and robotics. Focusing on the integration of AI development and higher education innovation, he shared in-depth insights into the future trajectory of AI. He encouraged young scholars to "ride with free rein and innovate boldly," urging them to venture into the "uncharted waters" of AI to unlock more possibilities.

Academician Xu Yangsheng delivers the opening keynote speech

[Youth Gathering]

Nearly a Hundred Global Talents Showcase Their Brilliance

Subsequently, the forum transitioned into intensive, high-quality academic exchange sessions. On the morning of March 28, outstanding young scholars give talks during parallel oral sessions, efficiently sharing their latest research findings and cuttng-edge insights. The sessions saw lively Q&A and in-depth discussions, igniting numerous creative inspirations.

The keynote presentation session was held on the afternoon of March 28. It was moderated by Academician Li Haizhou, a member of the Forum Organizing Committee, Dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence at CUHK-Shenzhen, and Director of the Center for Language, Intelligence, and Machines at SLAI, who also delivered a keynote address.

Academician Li Haizhou Moderates the Keynote Presentation Session

As an invited guest speaker, Professor Xiao Xiaokui, Associate Head of the Department of Computer Science at the National University of Singapore, delivered a speech titled Privacy Protection in the AI Era. He provided an in-depth analysis of how privacy attacks are reshaping research paradigms and pointed out the future direction for building trustworthy, private AI systems.

Professor Xiao Xiaokui delivers his keynote speech

Attendees asking questions enthusiasyically during the keynote session

During the poster session, more than 50 high-quality academic posters were displayed, comprehensively covering various frontier subfields of artificial intelligence. Attending scholars and guests engaged in profound exchanges, creating a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere.

The forum also featured a dedicated consultation and matchmaking area, where booths from the School of Management and Economics, the School of Science and Engineering, the School of Humanities and Social Science, the School of Data Science, the School of Artificial Intelligence, and the School of Public Policy at CUHK-Shenzhen, alongside the Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data (SRIBD), were set up. This area helped talents precisely connect with premium research positions, becoming one of the most popular segments among young scholars.

Participating scholars and guests toured the university library and key laboratories across various schools, experiencing CUHK-Shenzhen's first-class research platforms and capabilities firsthand.

Guests visiting the CUHK-Shenzhen Library, the Guangdong Provincial Higher Education Excellence Center for Basic Research in Aggregate Science, the SRIBD exhibition area, the School of Science and Engineering exhibition area, and the School of Artificial Intelligence exhibition area, among others.

The forum also carefully arranged a welcome banquet and a themed luncheon, where young scholars sat with professors from CUHK-Shenzhen and SLAI to discuss frontier trends in the AI field.

Academician Luo Zhiquan, Co-Chair of the Forum, Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen, and Executive Dean of SLAI, engaging in deep conversations with attendees.

Banquet speeches delivered by guests: Guillermo Gallego, Dean of the School of Data Science (top left); Yurii Nesterov, Distinguished Professor of the School of Data Science (top right); Academician Li Haizhou (bottom left); and Professor Huang Jianwei (bottom right).

[Immersive Experience]

Stepping into the GBA AI Innovation Ecosystem

On March 29, the attendees visited the Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS) and SLAI for a field exploration of the innovation ecosystem and development achievements in GBA's AI sector.

AIRS Venue

Dr. Ding Ning, Executive Associate Director of AIRS, delivers a keynote speech.

Dr. Ding Ning, Executive Associate Director of AIRS, delivered a keynote speech titled Exploring the Deep Integration of Embodied Intelligence and the World. He proposed that embodied intelligence is not merely "robotics + AI," but a closed loop between AI algorithms and physical carriers. Ultimately, AI must empower industries by enabling machines to better understand production environments, processes, and objects. This requires direct interaction between the two through the physical "body" of embodied intelligence.

Poster Session (March 29)

Representatives from various AIRS research centers and attendees engaged in deep discussions regarding the poster achievements. During the site visit of innovative achievements in the exhibition hall, participants witnessed firsthand the complete pathway of AI technology from theoretical breakthroughs to industrial implementation.

Demonstration by the AIRS Nano-swarm Robotics Laboratory

SLAI Venue

During the session at SLAI venue, Academician Luo Zhiquan, Co-Chair of the Forum, Vice President of CUHK-Shenzhen, and Executive Dean of SLAI, delivered a welcoming speech. He highlighted that SLAI, strategically situated in the core location of the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (HTCZ), is backed by a national-level strategic platform. He emphasized that SLAI always eagerly anticipates the arrival of top global talents to join hands in exploring the upgrading pathways for frontier AI breakthroughs and industrial innovation.

Academician Luo Zhiquan delivers the welcoming address

Academician Li Haizhou then delivered a keynote report titled Embracing AI. He pointed out that universities stand at a critical crossroads of technological disruption and educational transformation. Higher education should adopt proactive, comprehensive, and systematic strategies to firmly grasp the strategic opportunities brought about by AI technological revolutions.

Academician Li Haizhou delivers his keynote speech

During the forum, the Best Presentation Award was selected, with Academician Luo Zhiquan, Professor Huang Jianwei, and Academician Li Haizhou presenting honors to the 14 awardees.

Best Presentation Award Ceremony

Group photo and highlights at the SLAI venue

Attending guests also toured SLAI's five major research centers, visiting facilities such as the large model computing platform, the embodied intelligence robot testing ground, and the multimodal interaction laboratory.

[Free Rein]

Meeting Again in the Future

The two-day Free Rein: Global Youth AI Forum concluded successfully, receiving enthusiastic praise from participating scholars:

"Many thanks to the organizers, supporting institutions, organizing committee, and faculty members. It was a great honor to participate in the Global Youth AI Forum, and I gained tremendously from the experience."

"Thank you for providing such a valuable opportunity for exchange, allowing us to learn about a wealth of research in AI-related fields." "Wishing the university continued success and looking forward to meeting again next time."

"Thank you to all the faculty and organizers for the thoughtful arrangements and hard work. Wishing the university continued prosperity, and looking forward to meeting again."

The young scholars gathered at this forum not only brought their latest research findings and frontier insights but also fully demonstrated the prominent influence of CUHK-Shenzhen and SLAI in attracting and cultivating international AI talent, promoting academic exchange, and building innovative ecosystems.

Moving forward, CUHK-Shenzhen and SLAI will continue to develop the Global Youth AI Forum as a signature platform integrating academia, industry, and talent development. By bringing together outstanding AI talent from around the world, the two institutions aim to help position the Greater Bay Area as a globally influential hub for AI innovation.

For more information about the forum,

please contact:

aiforum@cuhk.edu.cn

Photos and content provided by the Forum Organizing Committee.