Renmin-Yale Student Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, and U.S.-China Relations Successfully Held

In April 2023, two sessions of Renmin-Yale student dialogue on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and U.S.-China relations were successfully held. This event was a virtual collaboration between the Center for International Security and Strategy, School of International Studies, Renmin University of China and International Security Studies, Jackson School of Global Affairs, Yale University. Around 20 RUC students from School of International Studies, Gaoling School of Artificial Intelligence, School of Philosophy, School of History and School of Law and more than 20 Yale students majoring in Computer Science, Global Affairs, Economics and Statistics & Data Science, Management, Law and Psychology participated in the dialogue.

The dialogue was co-hosted by Dr. WU Di, assistant professor of International History and Strategy at the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China and Dr. Edward Wittenstein, lecturer in Law and Global Affairs and the executive director of International Security Studies and the Schmidt Program on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. Arne Westad, Elihu Professor of History and Global Affairs at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, Professor Li Chen, director of Center for International Security and Strategy at School of International Studies, Renmin University and Edward Wittenstein, lecturer in Law and Global Affairs and the executive director of International Security Studies and the Schmidt Program on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies at Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs delivered a welcome remark respectively.

During the first session, students from both sides addressed questions like strategic implications of AI and emerging technologies for China and the United States, the greatest potential benefit and risk might result from advances in AI. The second session of the dialogue focused on the impact of AI and other emerging technologies in the areas of industrial development, social governance and U.S.-China competition and cooperation. The students expressed hope for the future along with a shared desire to find common ground. Renmin and Yale faculty members moderated the dialogue and facilitated this exchange, as well as shared their own perspectives. All the students and faculty alike from both sides thought it was a valuable exchange and worthwhile experience.