A significant coalition dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence through open-source collaboration has been formally established in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. This strategic initiative brings together 17 premier academic institutions alongside eight prominent technology firms and research organizations, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Science, Technology, and Informatization.
The alliance features China’s most prestigious universities including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, with Tsinghua University serving as the host institution for the alliance’s secretariat.
Conceived as an international, open-access, and non-profit strategic platform, the consortium has outlined five primary objectives: undertaking major national AI research initiatives, constructing an independent and controllable AI infrastructure ecosystem, cultivating elite AI talent, promoting AI integration within educational frameworks, and fostering a vibrant open-source technology community.
To achieve these ambitious goals, the alliance will prioritize educational transformation through updated teaching methodologies, establish innovative talent development systems, coordinate cutting-edge technological research, develop autonomous infrastructure solutions, and enhance global cooperation networks.
The organizational structure includes five specialized committees led by Tsinghua University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. These committees will focus on critical areas including educational AI applications, fundamental AI engineering, ethical frameworks and governance standards, and international AI collaboration.
Tsingshua University President Li Luming, who chairs the alliance, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative in addressing national priorities and securing China’s competitive position in global AI development. The alliance comprises 25 founding members, including three national innovation institutions and industry leaders Huawei and Tencent.
President Li outlined three core missions: pioneering original innovation breakthroughs, strengthening international partnerships, and supporting the comprehensive ‘AI Plus’ initiative across educational and research domains. He stressed the necessity of breaking down institutional barriers between academia and industry, noting that universities contribute valuable data and application scenarios while companies provide computational resources and model development capabilities.
A critical focus will be bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical implementation, ensuring AI advancements move beyond academic publications into real-world classrooms and laboratories. Future initiatives include developing an educational AI network to expand domestic computing power utilization, establishing ethical guidelines and governance frameworks for responsible AI development, and enhancing China’s participation in global AI governance through international platforms and standardization efforts.