30 Journalists from 27 Countries Tour Zhejiang University: Where Future Learning Meets Real-World AI

On October 18, 30 journalists from 27 countries visited Zhejiang University at the invitation of the university’s Office of Global Engagementand Xinhua News Agency. The delegation toured two sites—the Future Learning Center and the Hangzhou Robot School—to observe how ZJU applies artificial intelligence in education and advances industry–academia integration in embodied intelligence.

Opened in May, the four-story, 4,000-square-meter Future Learning Center is organized around a sequence of stages: interest, hands-on training, incubation and application. On the first floor, intelligent robots demonstrated live operations; at the harvesting-robot lab, fruit recognition and picking ran through full automated cycles. The student-assembled Horizon Formula race car drew close inspection from multiple visiting journalists. On the third floor, the student-run X-Lab showcased project-based innovation. The fourth-floor AI open-source community illustrated how classroom research transitions into real-world application.

“I’m really impressed by how technologies are implemented here in China,” said Diana, a journalist from Armenia. “But what struck me specifically is that the technology is genuinely geared toward education and student growth. ZJU is truly a place where young people gather, exchange ideas and build things together—I saw that directly. That kind of peer-driven creativity is invaluable.”

The delegation then visited the Hangzhou Robot School, the first dedicated robot school in China. A multilingual guide robot greeted the group and conducted the tour autonomously. Training modules span domestic service, elderly care, hospitality and cultural applications. At the Boundless Brain demonstration zone, robots equipped with reasoning capabilities executed intent recognition and motion prediction, demonstrating the operational gap between adaptive reasoning and fixed programming. Functional test environments—simulated utility tunnels, guided navigation routes—replicated on-the-job conditions.

“I was struck to learn that robots can actually ‘study,’ earn credentials and go on to work,” said Walter, a television host from Costa Rica. “The underlying idea is that robots are designed to work closely with people, which is exactly why they must learn extensively. I find that very forward-looking.”

Gizelle, a journalist from Honduras who first visited China in 2024 and returned this year, said: “Every time I come, the impression deepens. The Robot School made clear how we will work alongside robots across farming, livestock, households, offices and hotels. They are here to stay, and they will work with us.”

The delegation see how students create and how technology reaches application. At ZJU, artificial intelligence is not a showcase exhibit. It operates inside teaching and industrial service as standard practice.

To the world, this is how one Chinese university is meeting the intelligent age: AI in the service of learning; students who don’t just study, but build; research that leaves the lab behind; and technology proved where life is lived.

Source: Office of Global Engagement, ZJU
Writer: Ye Xiaoran
Editor: Teo Xin Yue(Student Social Media Team)
Reviewer: Ying Tianyu