Sharing a technological vision

The MIT China Summit brings together the top minds from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and China to collaborate on major questions, Xing Wen reports.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is seeking to explore topics at the frontiers of science and technology and work out creative solutions to humanity's complex challenges with its Chinese partners. This was the aim of the recently concluded MIT China Summit in Beijing.

Supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the summit has gathered some of China's most influential investors, entrepreneurs, government leaders and academics, as well as graduates and faculty from MIT, to discuss the mysteries of the human brain, new visions of artificial intelligence and the role of research and education in shaping tomorrow's world.

L. Rafael Reif, MIT's president, says the long-standing ties between the institute and China and the necessity of collaborating with talented people in China to tackle global problems, such as climate change, environmental degradation, food security and aging populations, were among the reasons for the summit.

"Since MIT enrolled its first student from China 140 years ago, students, faculty, alumni, staff and MIT's many great friends in China have built a wonderful bridge of connection," says Reif.

"More MIT faculty and students come from China than from any nation besides the United States."