Global Youth AI Forum for PhD, Postdoc, and Early-Career Researchers in Artificial Intelligence and Interdisciplinary Fields The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen in China

The Free Rein · Global Youth AI Forum, jointly organized by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) and Shenzhen Loop Area Institute (SLAI), is a premier event designed to connect outstanding young AI talents from around the world. The forum will be held in Shenzhen on March 28–29, 2026, and aims to bridge academia and industry by providing a platform for academic exchange, talent recruitment, and interdisciplinary collaboration in artificial intelligence and related fields.

This event targets PhD candidates nearing graduation, postdoctoral researchers, early-career faculty, and exceptional industry researchers, especially those with interdisciplinary AI backgrounds. Research areas of interest include machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, multimodal AI, trustworthy and safe AI, robotics and embodied intelligence, human-computer interaction, AI for science, health, biomedicine, social science, humanities, AI systems and infrastructure, neuromorphic computing, quantum computing, intelligent chips, distributed AI, and spatial intelligence.

Participants will benefit from top-tier academic exchange on frontier topics, multi-dimensional visibility through flash talks and poster sessions, targeted 1:1 matchmaking and roundtables with senior scholars and industry experts, and immersive exposure to Shenzhen’s innovation ecosystem. The forum also offers career support through research and employment connections, empowering early-career scholars for professional growth.

Selected on-site participants may receive travel and accommodation support, and visa guidance is available. The application process requires submission of a CV, a 1–2 page research statement, a poster presentation abstract, up to three representative works, referee information (two referees), and optionally up to two recommendation letters. All materials must be in English. The application deadline is February 28, 2026 (Beijing Time), with notifications expected around March 7, 2026.

CUHK-Shenzhen is a globally oriented institution with strengths in AI, robotics, data science, and interdisciplinary research, while SLAI focuses on enhancing national competitiveness in AI through international, interdisciplinary, and industrial collaboration. Together, they provide a unique environment for young scholars to explore cutting-edge breakthroughs and future possibilities in artificial intelligence.

For more information and to apply, visit the official websites or use the provided Google Form. Contact [email protected] for inquiries.