Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferenc KRAUSZ shares insights at PolyU to shape the AI-Powered future

The 2026 5th International Symposium on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence: For Education Transformation (ISBDAI 2026) was successfully held on 27 May 2026 (Wed) at PolyU. Co-organised by IHERD and the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI), the biannual symposium has been a platform since 2018 for exploring frontier topics in both theoretical and applied aspects of AI and big data. This year’s iteration placed a distinct emphasis on encouraging and supporting research at the intersection of these advanced technologies and modern education, drawing a prestigious lineup of global experts and visionaries.

The symposium commenced with an inspiring welcoming address by Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education) and Director of IHERD at PolyU, who emphasised that this year’s theme directly aligns with the strategic direction of PolyU Education 4.0 (E4.0) towards advancing student-centered learning and teaching underpinned by AI and digital transformation, while expressing his anticipation for the shared practices of leading global institutions. The opening ceremony also featured a virtual address from Prof. Tshilidzi MARWALA, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Speaking via a recorded message, Prof. Marwala delivered an inspiring opening speech highlighting that innovation must be accompanied by strong ethics, robust governance and deep interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure its benefits are widely shared across society.

A major highlight of the symposium was a distinguished keynote delivered by Prof. Ferenc KRAUSZ, Nobel Laureate in Physics and Director of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany. In his presentation, titled "TOWARD AFFORDABLE PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE: How basic science addresses grand challenges," Prof. Krausz captivated attendees by sharing insights on how advanced, fundamental data-driven science can be translated into tangible benefits for global public well-being and societal resilience. His address underscored the symposium's core theme of leveraging frontier research to address real-world challenges. 

Reflecting a strong commitment to academic excellence and societal impact, the conference featured a powerhouse lineup of visionaries who explored diverse facets of AI and Big Data applications, including but not limited to Ir. Daniel LAI, JC GOAI Programme Director and Former Government Chief Information Officer for the HKSAR, outlined strategic pathways for youth AI competency, while Prof. Xueji ZHANG, Former Vice President of Shenzhen University, introduced pioneering advancements in smart wearable biosensors. Furthermore, Prof. M. James C. CRABBLE of Wolfson College, Oxford University, addressed the critical deployment of Big Data in preserving global marine ecosystems, and Dr. Qiang LIU, Vice General Manager of Chaoxing Group, shared corporate insights on the deep integration of generative AI within classroom environments. By bridging the gap between theoretical data science and impactful real-world deployment, ISBDAI 2026 concluded as a landmark event setting a clear benchmark for the future of AI-driven education.

More on ISBDAI 2026: https://www.ieti.net/conf/isbdai/index.html