On April 1, Professor Terry Flew from the University of Sydney, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, paid an academic visit to our college at the invitation of the College of Media and International Culture. The exchange centered on transnational and interdisciplinary discussions regarding AI development and trust issues, alongside deliberations on potential research collaborations, aiming to foster synergistic exploration within academia.

That morning, Professor Flew toured the college’s Experimental Teaching Center, a National Virtual Simulation First-Class Experimental Teaching Center for Journalism and Communication. The facility integrates cutting-edge intelligent media production technologies, and Flew examined its pedagogical applications in digital content creation and AI-driven communication tools, expressing strong appreciation for the college’s practice-oriented approach.

Subsequently, the college hosted a welcome session for Professor Flew. Associate Professor Zhang Hong delivered opening remarks, outlining the college’s development strategy emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, internationalization, and practical engagement, as well as its organizational structure. In turn, Flew presented the research scope and achievements of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Trust and Governance (CAITG). He noted that CAITG focuses on the pivotal question of how AI is rapidly reshaping social, political, and cultural institutions, exploring the intricate interplay among artificial intelligence, societal trust, and governance frameworks. Through interdisciplinary research, the center aims to promote responsible AI development, strengthen public trust, and inform policymaking in complex regulatory environments. During the discussion, Associate Dean Zhao Yupei emphasized that the rapid evolution of digital technologies necessitates sustained dialogue among institutions, expressing eagerness for deeper collaboration with Professor Flew and the University of Sydney.

This exchange established an international platform for cooperation between the two institutions, advancing knowledge-sharing and innovative synergy in AI’s role within communication studies. Today, generative AI technologies are profoundly reshaping journalism practices, disciplinary education, and research. Confronted with both opportunities and challenges posed by this technological wave, universities—as engines of innovation and intellectual hubs—must integrate diverse cultural perspectives to contribute wisdom for the sustainable development of a tech-driven society.