On April 26, 2025, the first “Frontier Materials and AI Creation – Zhangjiang Forum” was held in the lecture hall on the first floor of Building 6, Lui Che Woo Science Park at the Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (ZIAS).Over 100 experts and scholars from top universities and research institutes such as Fudan University, University of Science and Technology of China, ShanghaiTech University, Beijing High Pressure Science Research Center (Shanghai), and Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences gathered to explore new pathways for “AI + Materials” and discuss new paradigms for materials R&D.

This forum is the first themed event under the "Zhangjiang Forum" series hosted by ZIAS, and a featured activity during Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s AI Week.

Zeng Xiaoqin extended a warm welcome to the experts and scholars in attendance.He reviewed the origin and development of materials science, summarized recent research achievements of SJTU in this field, and introducedthe future plans for the ZIAS Future Materials Creation Center.He noted that in the context of rapidly evolving technologies and industrial transformations, the deep coupling of materials science and artificial intelligence is opening new dimensions in material cognition and innovation.ZIAS, as a frontier research hub, is exploring uncharted territory in materials development through interdisciplinary integration, aiming to tackle fundamental, strategic, and forward-looking scientific challenges.He expressed hope that the forum would provide valuable insights and inspiration for the future of “AI + Materials” development and fuel a new wave of advancement in materials science.

In his speech, Tian Changlin stated that since its founding, ZIAS has focused on fundamental disciplines and adhered to the core concept of “Future, Interdisciplinary, Innovation,” aiming to build a transformative and leading research platform.ZIAS has gathered nearly 300 top scientists and nearly 500 doctoral students engaged in scientific research within the campus.In recent years, the institute has achieved numerous landmark outcomes and hosted frequent academic events across various disciplines.He called the forum an academic feast and encouraged active exchange and collaboration, envisioning a shared future in “AI + Materials” development to drive scientific progress and industrial upgrades.

During the morning keynote session, leading scholars including Lu Yalin (Distinguished Chair Professor at USTC and Researcher at Hefei National Lab), Liu Jianjun (Deputy Director, State Key Laboratory, SICCAS), Ma Jianpeng (Dean, Multiscale Research Institute, Fudan University), and Hong Liang (Professor at ZIAS and Director of the AI Biomedicine Center), delivered in-depth talks.They covered topics such as near-field microscopy, electrochemical energy storage materials, AI technologies, and protein engineering, highlighting hot topics in frontier materials and AI research, and sharing valuable experience drawn from practice.

In the afternoon academic session, reports were presented by Wang Zhujun (ShanghaiTech University), Lü Xujie (Beijing High Pressure Science Research Center), Zhang Hui (Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, SIACAS), Tang Junma (Xi’an Jiaotong University), Li Jinjin (AI and Microstructure Lab, SJTU), Yao Zhenpeng (ZIAS), Jiang Shengwei (School of Physics and Astronomy, SJTU), and Liang Zheng (Deputy Director, Center for Frontier Science of Transformative Molecules, SJTU), addressing topics such as metallic materials, pressure-driven novel materials, energy catalysis, and sustainable lithium batteries.

The discussion session was chaired by Fuqiang Huang.Zeng Xiaoqin, Tian Changlin, Lu Yalin, Yang Wenge, Ma Jianpeng, Liu Jianjun, and Hong Liang exchanged views on AI-driven innovation in biomedical and energy materials.

They pointed out challenges such as model generalization in AI material applications, algorithm bottlenecks, and talent shortages.They also envisioned future breakthroughs in quantum computing-powered AI design and discussed the ultimate goals and significance of combining AI for Science with materials research.

At the conclusion of the forum, Fuqiang Huang delivered a summary speech and expressed heartfelt thanks to all participants.The experts analyzed the current status of the fusion between frontier materials and AI creation, directly addressed the many challenges ahead, and envisioned infinite future possibilities.With the joint efforts of experts and students, the frontier materials discipline is expected to continuously expand in science and technology and lead the way forward.In the future, ZIAS will remain committed to deep cultivation and transformation of ideas into practical actions, working together to open a new chapter in the integration of frontier materials and AI creation.