On August 11, 2025, Professor Daniel Wikler, the Mary B. Saltonstall Professor of Population Ethics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a faculty member in the Department of Global Health and Population, visited AI-HSS, UESTC. The visit was attended by Zhao Zhiqin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of UESTC, as well as members of the Institute Affairs Committee.

Zhao extended a warm welcome to Professor Wikler on behalf of the university. He provided an overview of UESTC’s development and emphasized that this visit marks a significant opportunity for UESTC to advance the integrated development of "New Engineering + New Liberal Arts." AI-HSS focuses on the deep integration of artificial intelligence and humanities and social sciences, which aligns closely with Professor Wikler’s research interests. He expressed hopes for strengthened academic exchanges between both parties to further promote the development of humanities and social sciences.

Professor Zeng Yong, Dean of AI-HSS, provided a comprehensive introduction to the institute’s key achievements since its establishment in December 2024. Zeng also expressed aspirations for deepening collaboration with Harvard University in various areas, including discipline construction, talent development, and joint research initiatives.

Professor Wikler provided a detailed overview of the current academic landscape in Western institutions. He shared insights into Harvard University’s academic developments and the progress of humanities and social sciences studies, expressing his anticipation for future collaboration with the AI-HSS.

Following the discussions, both parties engaged in further exchanges on cutting-edge international research in related fields, as well as the institute’s discipline construction and talent development strategies.