China: Shanghai builds new training ground for AI talent.

Storyline Shanghai builds new training ground for AI talent This is an Inistitute dedicated to cultivating China's future AI leaders. Jointly established by the Shanghai municipal government and China's Ministry of Education, the institute now has more than 500 students — all PhD candidates selected from over 30 top universities across China. Among them is Zhao Ziyu from Zhejiang University, one of the institute's first students. His research focuses on developing more efficient architecture for large language models, or LLMs. Zhao Ziyu, Student, Shanghai Innovation Institute: "Here, we have gained a broader vision and more opportunities to explore ambitious ideas and conduct experiments. The institute provides strong computing support, while also connecting us with companies, giving us access to cutting-edge knowledge and industry resources." At the Institute, students work side by side with research partners, tackling challenges together. The institute has built an ecosystem that combines research, industry resources, investment and policy support, helping transform innovative ideas into real-world applications. Ding Xiaodong, Executive Deputy Dean, Shanghai Innovation Institute: "The Institute helps students turn their ideas into market value. We provide courses, policy support, connections with leading companies and guidance from investors. So far, we have helped establish 26 companies, including 17 founded by students." How has a two-year-old institute managed to incubate so many startups? The answer is in its culture, built around exploration and innovation. Unlike traditional education models centered on fixed curricula, the Institute encourages researchers to pursue bold ideas. Its more than 80 full-time mentors have an average age of 36, and the institute values influence and innovation in AI over the number of academic publications. At Shanghai Innovation Institute, the mission goes beyond training AI scientists. It is creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are tested and the next generation of breakthroughs can emerge. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]