On December 7, the Academic Symposium on "Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence, and the Development of New Productive Forces" was held at Shengshen Building, Nankai University.

The symposium was jointly organized by the Institute of Economics and Social Development at Nankai University, the Nankai University Interdisciplinary Center for Digital Economy, the School of Economics at Nankai University, and the China New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategy Research Institute. It was hosted by the Industrial Economics Research Institute, Enterprise Research Center, and Transportation Economics Research Institute of Nankai University, along with the Industrial Economic History Professional Committee of the Chinese Industrial Economics Society. The event also received academic support from Nankai Economic Studies and Tianjin Social Sciences journals.

More than 100 experts and scholars from institutions such as Nanjing University, Jinan University, Renmin University of China, Sun Yat-sen University, and Shandong University participated in the symposium.

　　Former Nankai University Vice President Tong Jiadong, in his opening address, highlighted that the rapid development and widespread application of the digital economy and artificial intelligence are driving a new wave of technological and industrial transformation globally. These advancements have become critical forces in reorganizing global resources, reshaping the global economic structure, and altering the competitive landscape. They serve as powerful drivers for the development of new productive forces.

Tong emphasized that the themes of this symposium address key issues in advancing the great practice of Chinese-style modernization. They also represent significant frontier topics in the theoretical research of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The symposium aims to promote the study of new productive forces in China, contributing valuable insights and actionable plans to accelerate their development.

Following the opening ceremony, distinguished experts and scholars delivered insightful keynote speeches, including:

Li Haijian, Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Institute of Quantitative and Technical Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, on "The Three-Dimensional Definition of New Productive Forces."

Zhang Qizai, Deputy Director and Research Fellow at the Institute of Industrial Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, on "Enhancing the International Competitiveness of Artificial Intelligence Innovation Chains."*

Tong Jiadong, on "The Theory of Digital Economic Development and New Productive Forces."

Zheng Jianghuai, Dean of the School of Economics at Nanjing University, on "Integrating Innovation Chains and Industry Chains for Economic Growth."

Tao Feng, Director of the Institute of Industrial Economics at Jinan University, on "Building an Internationally Competitive Modern Industrial System in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."

Liu Gang, Director of the Institute of Economics at Nankai University and Chief Economist of the China New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategy Research Institute, on "Artificial Intelligence as the Core Engine of New Productive Forces."

Liu Weilin, Vice Dean of the Institute of Economics and Social Development at Nankai University, on "The Low-Cost Innovation Trap and Overcapacity in New Productive Forces."

These speeches provided diverse perspectives and in-depth analyses, contributing to the understanding and advancement of digital economy and artificial intelligence in fostering new productive forces.

This year's forum featured two parallel sessions, where participating scholars engaged in lively discussions on frontier issues related to "Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence, and New Productive Forces."