Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a concept that corresponds to human intelligence. In 2023, about two-thirds of organizations in the Asia-Pacific region are exploring potential AI applications or have invested in generative AI technology. Generative AI is a key technology that will usher in a new era - an era where AI is everywhere. How will artificial intelligence change the relationships between people and the environment? How can we use the innovative power of artificial intelligence to shape and empower the industries we are in? On August 25, 2024, over 40 teachers and students from the School of Business at East China University of Science and Technology set out from Shanghai to London, embarking on a nine-day, seven-night "AI Transforming Industries for a Future-Shaping Tomorrow" - UK study tour. I am very fortunate to have participated in this UK study tour as an alumnus eight years after graduation.

As an important player on the world stage, Britain's history has directly or indirectly influenced the historical processes of other countries, especially in the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Britain has had a profound impact on global economics, politics, culture, education, science and technology, law, and religion. As one of the four major economies in Europe, Britain maintains a leading position in finance, education, biomedicine, chemical industry, mechanical manufacturing, and electronics industry. It also has a large number of world-renowned schools and has trained many Nobel laureates and high-caliber talents.

First Encounter with Oxford

Oxford and Cambridge are universally recognized as the twin stars of British higher education. The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second oldest higher education institution in the world. The earliest teaching at Oxford began in 1096. Since 1902, Oxford University has also established the Rhodes Scholarship, a scholarship program for undergraduates from around the world. The study tour's lectures were held at Oriel College, Oxford, which is one of the founding colleges of the University of Oxford. It has a history of nearly 700 years and is an institution with nearly 50 researchers and 500+ students. It has strong research capabilities in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, physics.

Listen to Oxford

Oxford University has designed a series of courses titled "AI Transforming Industry Future" for study and exchange students, where they can listen and explore cutting-edge topics with lecturers, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, the commercial application potential of artificial intelligence, and how to improve innovation and efficiency in the healthcare field using artificial intelligence. The most impressive part was when Prof. David Clifton, an entrepreneur, introduced his past experience as a Rolls-Royce remote intelligent maintenance engineer for aviation engines, and later entering the field of artificial intelligence medical monitoring. He successfully applied his previous knowledge engineering skills to the medical and healthcare field through Oxford University's research and development platform. The cross-disciplinary and merging of these two research fields had a significant impact on stimulating new innovations. Prof. David Clifton also leveraged Oxford University's global network and influence to globally deploy and collaborate on the project. For example, in China, he established the Oxford Institute of Advanced Studies (Suzhou), and in Hong Kong's Science Park, he established the Oxford-HK Centre for Cardiovascular Engineering with the City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Oxford University's multi-faculty, interdisciplinary organization is very consistent with the close connection between technical and business knowledge, which improves the effectiveness and targetedness of supply, demand, and research cooperation, and facilitates the aggregation of resources, enabling enterprises to quickly obtain emerging and practical.

Rowing Competition

Rowing, one of the oldest traditional sports, originated in Britain and was initially a leisure activity for commercial boatmen who would compete in boat races during their free time. The Oxford-Cambridge boat race on the Thames River, similar to the academic rivalry between the two universities, is of global interest and attracts nearly 300,000 spectators to the event each year. The annual Oxford-Cambridge boat race, which has been held since 1829, has a history of 194 years and reflects the fact that sports education has been an essential part of British education for a long time, and is one of the distinctive features of British holistic education. The British educational philosophy believes that good sports training can promote the development of students' brains, improve their reaction and resistance, and cultivate their sense of fair competition and cooperation. Rowing can not only train one's perseverance but also cultivate team spirit, which is the ultimate expression of team spirit. The winning and losing in sports can teach students how to face the wins and losses in their future life and how to achieve success through personal and team cooperation. The eight-man coxed rowing race, also known as the crown jewel of rowing, is a highly demanding event that requires athletes to have speed, coordination, and strength. During the study tour, local guides arranged the study tour participants into groups based on the eight-man coxed rowing race project on the Thames River, and carefully arranged a rowing culture experience at Oxford University College.

Visiting the Frontiers

During the Oxford study tour, the local guide teacher also arranged for the students to visit the Mini Global Dream Factory. Mini Cooper is a classic British brand under the BMW Group, and the factory has a 100-year history of automobile manufacturing. MINI was named by the Guinness World Records as "the most successful car in British history." The factory produces hundreds of customized Mini cars every day according to customers' specifications to meet the needs of Mini owners in more than 110 countries and regions around the world. As a brand committed to creating personalized cars, it has always been at the forefront of automotive customization and is the best practice of the "Customer to Manufacturer" (C2M) business model in the automotive industry. The behind-the-scenes operation of MINI's C2M model is the factory's strong digital and automated production capabilities and highly skilled industrial workers. The tour guide introduced that there are nearly 1,350 large industrial robots working on the stamping, handling, welding, painting, and assembly production lines of the Mini Cooper, and the production process always adheres to lean, scaled, intelligent, and flexible customization, with inspection and testing before delivery to consumers, ultimately completing the perfect one-car-one-order delivery. During the study tour, the students also visited the Oxford Vaccine Research Center (the birthplace of the world's first vaccine) and, under the guidance of the teacher, visited different colleges and local historical buildings in Oxford.

Looking to the Future, Embracing Change

Immerse yourself in the historic city of Oxford, surrounded by academic institutions, and experience diverse cultures to broaden your global perspective. Visit top research institutions and global brands, and engage in discussions and exchanges with industry experts to gain new insights into business. Promote communication, foster friendship, spark new ideas, and explore new models. Hua Li students, looking to the future, embrace the AI revolution.

(Author: Cao Longjun REAL NEW MATERIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LIMITED Founder Milan Polytechnic University Doctor of Business Administration East China University of Science and Technology Business School 2013 EMBA Senior Executive MBA)

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