#China #Hangzhou #China Academy of Art #Liangzhu Conference #Future Design

Overview of the Liangzhu Conference 2025

On October 19, 2025, the China Academy of Art (CAA) hosted the highly anticipated Liangzhu Conference, which centered on the themes of Future Design and Artificial Intelligence. This year's conference, titled "Deep Interaction and Paradigm Innovation," aimed to explore the evolving interfaces between technology, design, and human experience.

The event was collaboratively organized by multiple esteemed institutions, including the CAA's Industrial Design School, the Design and AI Lab, Zhejiang Province’s Pilot Unit for Integrated Reform of Education, Science, and Technology, and the International Research Forum on Design (IFDR). Held at the Liangzhu Campus of CAA, the conference was complemented by the Liangzhu Forum and marked a significant continuation from past themes such as "Design Leadership" in 2023 and "Resilience in Design" in 2024. This progression reflects the ongoing inquiry of the Industrial Design School into how fundamental industrial resources are interconnected with the modern data and computational power of the intelligence era.

Global Exchange of Ideas

The conference brought together renowned experts and practitioners from around the world to engage in discussions about human-centered design in the age of AI. Key topics included East-West dialogue on deep interaction, interdisciplinary innovation, co-creation between humans and machines, and emerging technologies.

Noteworthy speakers included Lou Yongqi, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences; Han Xu, Vice President of the CAA; and Tapani Hyvönen, a distinguished professor at the CAA and former board member of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. Additionally, experts like Yang Huayong, Ji Tie, and Zhang Linghao contributed their insights and participated in enriching discussions.

Roundtable Insights

On November 1, the International Roundtable on Design, Smart Manufacturing, and Education took place. Jin Yibin, Secretary of CAA's Party Committee, delivered an opening address underscoring the importance of the roundtable as a platform for mutual learning and cultural exchange. Attendees included Liu Ning, President of the China Industrial Design Association; Gui Wenbin from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation; and several international representatives from top design institutions across Finland, Mexico, and more. This session exemplified the conference’s commitment to fostering dialogue across borders and disciplines.

The session highlighted a shared understanding of the evolving role of design in modern society, with Professor Wang Yun, a driving force behind the conference, emphasizing the transition of design from a mere professional methodology to a systematic language redefining relationships among humans, technology, and society. He asserted that Chinese design is poised for significant advancements in both fundamental architecture and ethical paradigms.

Ethical Design in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence continues to permeate various industries, the focus on human-centered design remains pivotal. The CAA's Industrial Design School prioritizes practical relevance, encouraging students to directly address social needs while developing effective solutions. The school is committed to nurturing talent in creative design, aiming to construct an innovation ecosystem that thrives on close collaboration with industry partners.

In this rapidly evolving landscape, the Chinese design community draws from its rich cultural heritage, a global perspective, and a solid foundation in industry-education integration. As designers in China embrace their new responsibilities in the AI age, they are uniquely positioned to offer a critical "Chinese solution" that strives for a harmonious future, where human and machine collaborations foster shared creative endeavors.

Conclusion

In summary, the Liangzhu Conference 2025 successfully highlighted the crucial intersection between technology, design, and ethics amidst an increasingly AI-driven world. Under the leadership of the School of Industrial Design at CAA, the event served as a significant step toward promoting a collaborative, multifaceted approach to design that meets the challenges and demands of the future. The insights gleaned from this conference will undoubtedly influence the direction of design practices worldwide, reinforcing the importance of human-centered approaches in an age of technology.

Article by Professor Wang Yun, Dean of the School of Industrial Design at CAA, and Professor Wu Peiping, Conference Coordinator.