Introduction

On April 17, 2026, a significant event titled “Science and China - Thousands of Academicians, Thousands of Popular Science Events” was held in Beijing. Experts gathered to present cutting-edge insights on robots and artificial intelligence under the theme “Intelligent Future.”

Evolution of Robotics

Academician Yu Haibin, director of the Industrial Artificial Intelligence Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a talk titled “Robots Leading a New Era of Technology.” He systematically explained the development trajectory, basic components, and classifications of robot technology. He highlighted that as artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing deeply integrate, robots are gradually transcending the boundaries of traditional automation equipment, evolving into new intelligent entities with perception, cognition, and autonomous decision-making capabilities.

The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence

In another presentation titled “A Brief History of AI Evolution: Super Tools or Future Partners?” Senior Engineer Luo Yin from the Automation Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discussed the evolution of AI technology from tool-based applications to collaborative partnerships. He noted that with breakthroughs in large model technology and decision intelligence, AI is transitioning from a “super tool” to a proactive collaborative “future partner,” fundamentally transforming human-machine relationships and impacting research, industry, and social life.

Conclusion

The “Science and China” initiative is a high-level public science popularization activity co-hosted by various Chinese governmental and scientific organizations. Its goal is to disseminate scientific knowledge, promote scientific spirit, and advocate scientific methods to enhance public scientific literacy and contribute to building a technologically strong nation.