World's first AI agent system for scientific research launched in Beijing

The world's first AI agent system for scientific research, OmniScientist, was launched on Sunday at the first International Conference on AI Scientists (ICAIS 2025) in Beijing.

OmniScientist, which supports comprehensive scientific talent cultivation, was officially released by Zhongguancun Academy (ZGCA) and Zhongguancun Institute of Artificial Intelligence (ZGCI) during the conference.

Focusing on AI-driven scientific innovation, ICAIS 2025 brought together multidisciplinary experts from China and abroad to explore AI's crucial role in future technological development.

Centering on the core theme of "AI Scientists," this year's conference examined AI's evolution from research assistant to intelligent scientific "partner."

"Now we are trying to work on smart materials, dynamic materials with properties which are close to those of the biological systems, like materials which can self-heal, self-repair. You scratch your car and it will repair by itself," said Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 2010, a ICAIS 2025 participant.

These complex systems are challenging to design using traditional methods, but machine learning can be very helpful, he added.

OmniScientist aims to become an "indispensable co-creation partner" for young scientists throughout their development. It establishes an intelligent support framework covering the entire research workflow, deeply integrated from literature review and idea generation to experimental design and paper writing. The system features digital twin agents of globally renowned scientists, teachers, and researchers who can accompany young researchers, provide inspiration and advice, and grow alongside students.

"AI can search all online literature and help students summarize the information, while also refining their viewpoints. They might discover their ideas are actually outdated, something they weren't aware of [until using AI]. This will significantly enhance students' research literacy. By developing such an AI research assistance system, we can accelerate students' learning cycle, enrich their store of knowledge, and help them identify new research directions for solving future problems," said Liu Tieyan, president of ZGCA.

The conference, hosted by ZGCA, ZGCI, Tsinghua University, Westlake University and the University of Chicago, will run through Tuesday.  

World's first AI agent system for scientific research launched in Beijing

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"