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Deep Interaction and Paradigm Innovation:

The recent 2025 Future Design and Artificial Intelligence Liangzhu Conference held on October 19, 2025, by the China Academy of Art (CAA), successfully attracted global attention and participation. This year’s theme, "Deep Interaction and Paradigm Innovation", highlighted the evolving relationship between human-centered design and technology in the AI era.

The conference's co-hosts included several notable institutions, such as the School of Industrial Design at CAA, the Design-AI Lab, and the Cumulus Association, among others. The event serves as a reflection of a broader trend within the CAA, transitioning from previous topics like "Design Leadership" and "Design Resilience" in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The thematic evolution aims to integrate competencies from the industrial era—namely water, electricity, and coal—with today’s data-driven technological advancements.

On this prestigious occasion, a myriad of distinguished experts and thought leaders from around the world convened to engage in discussions surrounding human-centered thinking in the age of AI. Topics included East-West dialogues on deep interaction, interdisciplinary and paradigm innovations, and human-machine co-production, coupled with discussions on new pathways in technological development. Keynote speakers included Lou Yongqi, a fellow at the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and Han Xu, Vice President of CAA. These leading figures emphasized the necessity of collaborative dialogue in advancing design practices.

In addition, the international roundtable discussion was a highlight of the conference, featuring notable participants including Liu Ning, President of the China Industrial Design Association, and Zhao Chao, Vice President of the International Council of Design. The discussions were framed as platforms for cross-cultural learning and the exchange of ideas across civilizations.

The prominence of design professionals such as Tapani Hyvönen and Yang Huayong, who spoke about the imperative transformations facing design methodology and the ethical paradigms in the AI context, reinforced the conference's focal points.

Prof. Wang Yun, the initiator of the conference and Dean of the School of Industrial Design, urged participants to view design as a systematic language that could redefine the relationships between humanity, technology, and society. He articulated a vision where Chinese design achieves breakthroughs that connect ethical considerations with fundamental architectural principles.

As the future of design unfolds, the CAA remains steadfast in its mission to preserve China's rich cultural heritage while embracing contemporary technological advancements. The institution is committed to cultivating practical skills in students, enabling them to tackle societal challenges effectively. The collaboration of industry resources with educational institutions positions the School of Industrial Design as a strategic hub for nurturing creative talent in the design field. This commitment culminates in the goal of forging an "innovation ecosystem" that thrives on partnerships between academia and industry, aligning perfectly with the broader global trends in design-thinking and innovation.

China's design community is more than ever poised to contribute unique solutions for future societal challenges, creating a landscape where harmonious human-machine collaboration becomes the norm. As delegates returned home from Liangzhu, the discussions ignited by the conference will undoubtedly continue to inspire, influence, and drive the future of design across borders.

Authors: Prof. Wang Yun and Prof. Wu Peiping, CAA School of Industrial Design.