On July 18, as the students’ project presentations came to an end, the 9th International Summer School on “Artificial Intelligence: Leading the Frontier,” jointly hosted by Harbin Institute of Technology and organized by the Faculty of Computing, successfully concluded.
This year’s two-week summer school centered around the core theme of “Artificial Intelligence Empowering Sustainable Development.” It attracted over 80 outstanding students from top domestic universities like Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the University of Science and Technology of China, as well as from well-known international institutions. More than 10 authoritative scholars from institutions such as the University of Chester, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Birmingham, ITMO University (Saint Petersburg), and Edith Cowan University (Australia) participated. Together, they embarked on a two-week advanced learning journey to explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and identify key research directions in fundamental disciplines, laying a solid foundation for building an international academic community.
Guided by the educational philosophy of “Deep Roots, Leading Innovation,” the Faculty of Computing designed a step-by-step learning framework that included “core courses + academic lectures + research projects + visits and exchanges.” By integrating hands-on research projects throughout the program, students were encouraged to explore AI, promoting collaboration and exchanges among participants from different universities.
Lectures
The core curriculum was carefully structured, offering both basic and advanced content. Professor Aurav Sharma from the University of Chester started the program with a foundational course called Graphical Models and Probabilistic Inference, giving students a strong theoretical basis. The following courses emphasized the combination of cutting-edge technologies and various applications. Students could choose one of the following specialized courses according to their research interests: AI and Machine Learning taught by Professor Jane You from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, AI in Business by Professor Yufeng Zhang from the University of Birmingham, or Generative AI Technology by Professor Nikolay Butakov from ITMO University. These courses helped participants explore core AI algorithms, the progress of generative AI, and the practical applications of AI in business decision-making and operations.
The academic lecture series featured two prominent speakers: Professor David Suter from Edith Cowan University and Professor Alexander Boukhanovsky from ITMO University. They gave talks on “AI and Computer Vision” and “AGI-like Industrial Solutions Based on Multi-Agent Technologies” respectively. These lectures delved into the core principles of AI technologies and industrial application models, providing crucial theoretical insights to broaden students’ understanding of frontier technologies.
Hands-on Projects
The research project practice part emphasized hands-on training as a key element for improving scientific research skills. Under the leadership of Associate Professor Qinze Li, the Deputy Director of the Perceptual Computing Research Center, and Associate Professor Shaohui Liu, the Deputy Director of the Intelligent Interface and Human-Computer Interaction Research Center, eight cutting-edge research projects were carefully designed. These projects covered areas such as image processing, small-object tracking, medical image segmentation, cross-modal image registration, and depth estimation. Students worked in teams, delved into technical details, and tackled experimental challenges, demonstrating collaborative innovation and improving their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.
Beyond the academic aspects, the Faculty of Computing organized visits to HIT’s Aerospace Museum and History Museum. Through immersive experiences, students developed a deeper understanding of HIT’s historical heritage, its remarkable achievements in aerospace, and the spirit of serving the nation through science and technology.
Closing Remarks
After two weeks of intensive learning and practice, this summer school provided students with a valuable platform to systematically study cutting-edge knowledge, engage deeply in research projects, and expand their international academic horizons. Participants not only strengthened their theoretical foundations and improved their practical and innovative abilities but also developed deep academic friendships through cross-cultural exchanges and collaboration. The Faculty of Computing will continue to optimize this international exchange platform to support more young talents in exploring the frontiers of intelligent computing and unlocking their innovative potential.
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审核：吴婉琼