The interplay of technological innovation and the humanities in the new era of artificial intelligence was highlighted at the World Youth Forum (WYF) Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The summit successfully concluded on Saturday at the Grand Auditorium of Macao Tower Convention & Entertainment Center, with over 400 youth representatives from Chinese mainland, India, Indonesia, United States, Thailand and other countries and regions attending the event.

Focusing on the theme of "Technology and Humanities" in the AI Era, they engaged in five days of cross-cultural learning and city exploration, articulating the voices of youth in the AI era.

The opening ceremony on Aug 12 also coincided with the UN International Youth Day, bringing the young leaders together to discuss the future landscape shaped by technological transformation, exploring shared values and aspirations in the context of globalization.

Co-organized by the Global Innovation Center (GIC), International Academic Decathlon (IAD), and Hi World, with media support from 21st Century Media and Education, the summit was attended by distinguished guests including Gang Zhao, director-general of GIC; Qiong Huang, vice-chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance; and Keith Wenner, president of the Board of the United States Academic Decathlon Association (USAD). Expert mentors and judges from the University of Macao, Newcastle University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, DJI, and other institutions provided cross-disciplinary guidance to youth representatives.

Youth insights on new humanistic reflections in AI era

As a globally premier challenge-based learning platform built upon cross-border resources, the WYF Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit – the forum’s second flagship event this year – established a challenge system anchored by three core activities: International Academic Decathlon (IAD), Hi World Global Youth Creative Exhibition, and U20 World Youth Voice.

Youth representatives delved into the relationship between technology and the humanities in the AI era across three dimensions: Academic inquiry, creative expression, and public discourse.

Building on 57 years of experience in building its interdisciplinary system, the IAD has created an exploratory landscape for diverse thinking among youth representatives.

The participants leveraged perspectives from mathematics, science, social sciences, and the arts to conduct in-depth inquiries into topics such as "AI’s Impact on Human Emotional Cognition" and "Cultural Heritage in Technological Development."

Through interdisciplinary discussions, they deepened understanding of the new connotations of the humanistic spirit, demonstrating unique thinking integrating multiple perspectives and critical reasoning.

At the Hi World Global Youth Creative Exhibition of the summit, themed "Symbiosis," global youth acted as curators. They showcased six months of research through exhibits, interactive installations, and multimedia art to vividly convey innovative reflections on the symbiosis of technology and humanity.

Some works, with their unique content and expressive approaches, were praised by attending experts and judges as "embracing both the incisiveness of youth perspectives and the warmth of humanistic thinking."

U20 World Youth Voices, a core segment of this summit, broke geographical boundaries and enabled youth representatives to form international teams.

Centering on issues such as "technology and social equity," "green technology and sustainable cities," and "ethical boundaries in the AI era," the youth representatives engage in in-depth debates and collaboration. In the process, diverse cultural perspectives collide, sparking profound insights into global issues.

Lundyn Smith, a youth representative from the United States, said: "The WYF summit covers a wide range of disciplines. In interdisciplinary learning, I truly felt the collision of different ways of thinking. Meanwhile, the unique experience gained from interacting with peers from various countries has made this interdisciplinary exploration journey even more meaningful."

Macao a hub for global youth cultural exchange

During the summit, over 400 young representatives embarked on a "Macao Cultural Exchange Journey".

They discussed youth responsibilities in multicultural contexts with university scholars at the University of Macao and visited the Macao Science Centre to personally experience the empowerment of technology for cultural heritage inheritance.

The youth representatives also visited the Ruins of St. Paul's, where they felt and exchanged views on the historical context of East-West cultural integration in front of this Macao cultural landmark.

As a key Maritime Silk Road node, Macao—where "Chinese culture is the mainstream while diverse cultures coexist"—serves as a vital hub for civilizational dialogue within the WYF network.

Houston Hou, executive secretary-general of GIC International Education Committee and WYF Council Member & Executive Convener, said: "On International Youth Day, we want global youth to recognize that their voices and actions can drive global progress. Macao’s cultural diversity and international perspective make it an ideal bridge for global youth dialogue—this is why WYF chose to gather here."

To date, WYF has engaged over 1,000 youth from 15 countries and regions, covering topics in finance, business, and liberal arts, with plans to expand into science, engineering, and healthcare. "Youth in the AI era are not just technology users, but co-creators of cultural heritage and technological innovation," Houston Hou said.