News & Events

"2026 AI-Empowered Cultural Creativity Summer School" Kicks Off at School of Design

On the morning of July 6, the opening ceremony for the "2026 AI-Empowered Cultural Creativity Summer School" hosted by the School of Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University was held in Conference Room 416 of the Design Building. Students from Ecole BRASSART in France gathered alongside with students from various universities across China. Distinguished guests at the opening ceremony included Ma Wei, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Chang Danni, vice dean of the School of Design; Hu Siyu, Chief Operating Officer of the Sino-European Association for Educational Innovation and Industrial Development (Paris) SEAIC; Zhang Ying, Inter-University Affairs Coordinator of the Sino-European Association for Educational Innovation and Industrial Development (Paris) SEAIC; Wen Xiaojing, Director of the Department of Design at the School of Design; Liu Bo, Director of the Visual Communication Design Undergraduate Program at the School of Design; and Tan Xinyang, Director of the International Master of Design Program at the School of Design. Wen Xiaojing presided over the opening ceremony.

At the start of the opening ceremony, Ma Wei, on behalf of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, extended a warm welcome to all program participants. He noted that Shanghai Jiao Tong University has always regarded international cooperation as a key pathway to advancing educational innovation and talent development, and places great emphasis on a global perspective and cross-cultural exchange. With the theme "AI-Empowered Cultural Creativity", this summer school closely aligns with the trend of interdisciplinary convergence between artificial intelligence and the humanities. He expressed his hope that over the next two weeks, the students would collaborate with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, engage deeply in practical project work, spark innovative thinking through mutual exchange and learning, foster genuine friendships, and collectively enjoy a fulfilling and unforgettable learning experience.

Chang Danni then delivered a welcome address on behalf of the School of Design. The School of Design has always been committed to promoting the deep integration of design, technology, and the humanities, and actively exploring new directions for creative practice empowered by artificial intelligence. This summer school serves as an important initiative for the school to deepen international cooperation and advance interdisciplinary innovation. She encouraged the students to cherish this opportunity for learning and exchange, and to broaden their international perspectives, unleash their innovative potential, and deepen intellectual exchange through specialized courses, hands-on workshops, and cross-cultural teamwork.

Wen Xiaojing gave a presentation on the School of Design and the summer school curriculum. She provided a systematic overview of the school's development history, academic program development, faculty resources, international collaborations, and approaches to talent cultivation, showcasing the School of Design's comprehensive strength in the field of design education and its international educational philosophy. She noted that this summer school will focus on Suzhou's Ming and Qing dynasty silk patterns—a significant cultural resource—to guide Chinese and international students in gaining a deeper understanding of their historical context, aesthetic systems, and visual logic. By integrating AI-generated technology, the program will explore contemporary expressions of traditional patterns to produce design outcomes with innovative value.

During the dialogue session, the program participants engaged in in-depth discussions with the summer school instructors regarding course schedules and other matters. In addition to the opening ceremony, students from France toured the School of Design Building together to learn more about the school's infrastructure, teaching facilities, and student creative spaces.

The opening ceremony for the School of Design's "2026 AI-Empowered Cultural Creativity Summer School" has successfully concluded. The opening ceremony not only provided a platform for exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and French faculty and students, but also marked the beginning of a journey of exploration into artificial intelligence, design innovation, and the cultural translation of heritage. We look forward to the students sparking innovative inspiration through their upcoming studies and practical experiences, and uncovering even more possibilities for AI-empowered cultural creativity.

- stay tuned -