Amid the wave of artificial intelligence (AI) technology profoundly reshaping the global industrial landscape, and in celebration of the university’s 50th anniversary, the Scientific Research Office, in collaboration with the School of Intelligent Manufacturing, invited Professor Zhou Fengyu, a doctoral supervisor from the Service Robot Research Center of Shandong University and Chief Scientist of the National Key R&D Program, to deliver an academic lecture titled "Artificial Intelligence—Large Models—Embodied Intelligence in Robotics: Development History and Future Impact"on the afternoon of June 3 at the university’s Party Spirit Education Base. This academic event aimed to enhance research capabilities in the natural sciences through high-level academic exchanges, injecting innovation and scholarly depth into the anniversary celebrations. The lecture was hosted by Wei Yanbo, Dean of the School of Intelligent Manufacturing, with over 300 faculty members and students in attendance.
Professor Zhou Fengyu, who has been engaged in intelligent robotics research and development since 1996, is a pioneer in cloud robotics in China. During the lecture, drawing on his profound academic expertise and international perspective, he systematically elucidated the core concepts and evolutionary trajectory of AI, offering attendees a feast of knowledge and intellectual inspiration. The presentation began with a definition of AI, its foundational disciplines, and its three major schools, followed by a vivid retrospective of the "Ten Milestones in AI Development"—from the proposal of the Turing Test to AlphaGo’s victory over human players. Each key breakthrough highlighted the intrinsic logic of AI’s evolution from its inception to transformative advancements, driven by innovation, providing the audience with a clear understanding of AI’s historical progression.
Focusing on cutting-edge AI developments, Professor Zhou delved into machine learning paradigms, neural network mechanisms, and the groundbreaking applications of deep learning. Using the highly publicized GPT series of large models as an example, he demonstrated the revolutionary potential of generative AI in scenarios such as content creation and knowledge-based Q&A. For the field of education, Professor Zhou outlined a visionary blueprint for a "new paradigm of digital intelligent teaching in the AI era." By sharing practical examples—such as how personalized adaptive learning systems precisely cater to student needs, how intelligent evaluation and feedback optimize teaching effectiveness in real time, and how immersive virtual experiments transcend the spatiotemporal constraints of traditional labs—he offered forward-looking pathways for the university to build an intelligent educational model. These insights sparked profound reflections among faculty and students on the future of educational transformation.
Against the backdrop of rapid AI advancements, mastering cutting-edge technologies has become a strategic imperative for enhancing academic programs, cultivating high-quality technical talent, and serving societal development. This lecture was not only a grand occasion for knowledge sharing but also a vivid manifestation of the university’s commitment to upholding the spirit of "preserving integrity while innovating," celebrating its 50th anniversary with academic excellence. It inspired faculty and students to keep pace with technological progress and actively engage in academic research and innovative practices. Moving forward, as part of the anniversary’s academic series, the Scientific Research Office will collaborate with schools and departments to establish high-level exchange platforms, continuously introduce advanced technological ideas, further enrich the campus research atmosphere, ignite innovation, and steadfastly advance high-quality research to contribute wisdom and strength to regional economic and social development.
