The School of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Shenzhen University (SZU) — positioned as a future hub for AI education and research — was inaugurated on April 21 at SZU’s Yuehai campus in Nanshan District.

The school’s strategic advisory committee was also established on April 21. The committee includes renowned academicians from China and abroad, as well as senior executives and scientists from leading enterprises like Huawei and Tencent.

The AI school will offer academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. By closely integrating cutting-edge technologies with industry needs and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the school aims to provide students with unparalleled learning and research opportunities.

At the launch ceremony, the school signed strategic cooperation agreements with the Luohu District Government and major tech firms, including Huawei, Tencent, ZTE, Intellifusion Technologies, UBTECH, and SenseTime, to accelerate AI applications and industrialization.

In his speech, Mao Junfa, president of SZU, emphasized that the AI school’s establishment aligns with the university’s commitment to supporting national and municipal development strategies. It will also leverage national key laboratories and research platforms to bolster scientific innovation, technology transfer, and talent development.

As universities nationwide race to establish AI schools, Mao highlighted SZU’s unique focus on leveraging the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area’s ecosystem and the strength of Shenzhen’s high-tech industry to cultivate top-tier talent with both academic rigor and practical expertise.

In his remarks, Chen Ning, chairman and CEO of Intellifusion Technologies, expressed hope for collaborative breakthroughs in AI with SZU that will further solidify Shenzhen’s innovation legacy. He proposed global recruitment of top AI researchers, integration of international resources, advancement of AI and interdisciplinary studies, and a strong emphasis on innovation to propel the school’s growth.

After the ceremony, Turing Award laureate John Edward Hopcroft, from the U.S., delivered a speech titled “Talent for the Information Age,” which emphasized the importance of helping students discover their true passions.

In recent years, SZU has made significant strides in AI education and talent development. The university was ranked 47th globally by the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities for AI 2025.