On March 15th, the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Carey Business School of Johns Hopkins University successfully convened an international forum titled "AI: Disruption and Innovation" in Shanghai. This collaborative effort brought together top experts, entrepreneurs, and scholars in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from around the world to discuss how AI can reshape business ecosystems, drive industrial change, and address talent demands in the AI era. The forum received full support from FT China.
Opening Remarks
Professor Shijun Cheng, Executive Dean of SAIF, delivered the welcome address, highlighting SAIF's mission as a world-class institution established by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government to realize the national strategy of developing Shanghai into an international financial center. After 15 years of development, SAIF has cultivated a world-class faculty at the forefront of finance education in China, positioning itself as a pioneer in financial management education and a cradle for training high-end financial talents.
Acknowledging AI's widespread recognition as a new engine for enhancing productivity and promoting economic growth, Professor Cheng stated that SAIF currently offers more than 10 courses exploring the applications, challenges, and trends of AI. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation with Carey Business School in organizing this forum, which aimed to help participants better grasp socio-economic trends and promote the integration of AI innovation into business education.
Keynote Addresses
In the keynote address session, participants discussed how AI, as the new productivity driver, can breed new economic growth momentum and the changes it will bring to industries, enterprises, and individuals. Topics covered included the development of AI technology, the impact of AI on business and higher education, the innovation of enterprise management models, and the promotion of financial innovation.
Speakers in this session included Alexander Triantis (Dean of Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University), Hong Yan (Professor of Finance, Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs and Faculty at SAIF), Yue Gao (Associate Professor at the School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, SJTU), Qingfa Wang (Head of Technology and Analytics, Digital Transformation Department, Lenovo Group), Zhiming Yuan (General Manager of Digital Native Business Unit, Microsoft China), Dr. Jing Xiao (Chief Scientist, Ping An Group), and Hu Dingyu (Senior Director of Data and Artificial Intelligence, Technology Services Department, Accenture Greater China).
AI's Transformative Impact on Business Education
Dean Alexander Triantis elucidated the significance of AI skills and applications from the perspective of higher education and the training of talents in business schools. He highlighted that AI is involved in all professions and fields, especially in accounting, finance, marketing, business analytics, and other segments. As a result, Carey Business School has introduced various AI-related courses in its MBA and Professional Masters programs.
Triantis further noted that most universities globally are investing in AI research and platforms. Johns Hopkins University has made multi-faceted investments in the field of AI, ranging from algorithm development by faculty to policy, ethics, and other aspects, to create a "Trustworthy AI."
AI's Dual Impact on Corporate Hiring
Professor Hong Yan introduced his latest research findings on the dual impact of AI on the evolution of corporate jobs and industries under the title "AI Exposure and Corporate Hiring." He noted that AI is driving a dual impact of "replacement" and "enhancement" on corporate recruitment.
By validating and analyzing big data and AI through the knowledge structure of classical financial and business theories, combined with new changes in social demand, Yan constructed an index of "enhancement" and "substitution" of AI on specific jobs (occupations). This index enables researchers and enterprise decision-makers to gain clear insights into the impact of AI on society, business, enterprises, and talent, thus meeting the challenges of the AI era with a new perspective.
Panel Discussion
After the keynote addresses, presided over by Feng Wang, Editor-in-Chief of FT China, the guests engaged in a discussion exploring the disruptive impact and future opportunities brought by AI technology from the dimensions of technological development, application status, successful experiences, and development challenges.
