Artificial intelligence is stepping into the spotlight at China's universities, and institutions in Guangdong Province are among those leading the trend.

On May 6, Sun Yat-sen University hosted a conference on AI, bringing together researchers and academic leaders to discuss how higher education should respond to one of the most profound technological shifts of our time.

During the conference, the university unveiled its first research institute focused on artificial intelligence. This initiative is part of a broader national trend: Chinese universities are rapidly developing AI capacity to take the lead in next-generation technologies.

Leaders of Sun Yat-sen University unveil its Institute of Artificial Intelligence.

This academic transformation began in 2018 when China's Ministry of Education issued a directive calling on universities to prioritize AI research and talent development. The aim was clear: to ensure higher education keeps pace with the growing demands of the AI industry.

Since then, more than 500 universities across China have introduced AI-related degree programs. By the end of 2024, at least 60 had established dedicated AI schools or research institutes, according to Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.

The shift is particularly visible in Guangdong Province, China's economic powerhouse and home to tech giants like Huawei and Tencent. Leading universities in the region, including Sun Yat-sen and others like South China University of Technology and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, have also established AI-focused schools offering degrees from undergraduate to doctoral levels.

But why create separate schools and institutes rather than simply integrate AI into traditional disciplines, especially since the technology will be applied in industries like medicine or agriculture?

A research team from the School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, is providing AI and UAV services for farms in Indonesia.

Sun Yat-sen University's Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center performs robot-assisted subretinal injection surgery.

"We need two types of AI talent," said Professor Qian Depei, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former dean at Sun Yat-sen's School of Computer Science. "Some will use AI to solve practical problems in specific industries. Others will work on developing AI itself, expanding what it can do and how it can help us think and create. This is where we need a dedicated space for AI education and research."

In Guangdong, close links between academia and industry provide fertile ground for applied learning. At Sun Yat-sen, joint labs with companies like GAC Group and Huawei bring real-world problems into the classroom, shaping course content and giving students practical experience.

Proximity to Hong Kong adds an international dimension. In 2024, Sun Yat-sen opened its Institute of Advanced Studies in Hong Kong, which facilitates the university's efforts to attract overseas AI talent and expand international research networks, according to Professor Chen Hongbo, executive vice dean of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence.

Yet the rapid rise of AI also brings challenges, and higher education itself is feeling the impact. "With tools like DeepSeek offering instant access to vast knowledge, universities must rethink their role in education," said Professor Qian.

"We should not just tell students what to know but help them imagine what's possible. Students need to create rather than just consume knowledge. This might be where the future of education lies," he envisioned.

Photo | Sun Yat-sen University