Artificial intelligence (AI) technology and AI-driven tools are expected to hog the spotlight at the 2025 Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum, which is set to be held in Beijing from March 27 to 31, said the city's vice mayor Jin Wei on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference, Jin said activities such as the AI theme day and parallel forums will be held during the event to highlight cutting-edge science and technology.
"With a focus on cutting-edge hot areas such as embodied intelligence and quantum technology, 10 brand forums and 50 innovation forums, particularly the 20 ones like the first open science international forum, will be held during the forum. Twenty-one sessions will be hosted by 12 ministries and commissions, and 18 will be hosted by more than 30 international organizations and institutions, aiming to promote in-depth cooperation through high-level dialogue. The AI theme day, the pioneer forum on AI's future, and other activities will be also held to forge a 'wind vane' of cutting-edge science and technology," he said.
Besides parallel forums, a tech trading event promoting the industrial application of scientific and technological achievements from colleges and universities will be also held during the forum, with universities, institutes and innovative enterprises from 34 countries participating.
Notably, AI interpreters and nearly 100 robots will serve as intelligent assistants for guests at the forum.
"Based on large AI models, voiceprint recognition and speech fitting technology are used to interpret speakers' speeches from their native language. There will be nearly 100 representative robots from 15 enterprises working in every corner of the annual event, covering scenarios like welcoming guests, communication, hosting, performance, and services," said Jin.
Themed on "New Quality Productive Forces and Global Science and Technology Cooperation", this year's ZGC Forum will comprise a total of 128 events across five major sections -- forums and conferences, technology transactions, achievements releases, frontier competitions, and supporting activities.
Over 1,000 speakers from more than 100 countries and regions will gather at the event to discuss how to foster new quality productive forces through sic-tech innovation.
China's Top 10 Science Advances will also be released at the forum for the first time.
2025 Zhongguancun Forum to highlight AI: vice mayor
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
