2024 AI Art Festival for University Students Kicks Off in Beijing: A Journey into the Fusion of Artificial Intelligence and Culture

The 2024 University Student AI Art Season, themed “Art and Intelligence in Harmony, Co-creating Aesthetics,” has officially commenced in Beijing. This initiative encourages college students and emerging creators to lead art innovation through technological advancements while using artistic concepts to foster technological development. The festival integrates technological arts into talent education, aiming to explore new aesthetic forms and future possibilities created by the fusion of artificial intelligence with cultural and artistic expression.

On October 11th, the event was inaugurated in Haidian District. Zhang Ge, the Secretary of the Haidian District Committee, highlighted that this season represents a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing new productive forces and promoting a deep integration of technology and culture. The showcased works span various fields, including AI film production, fashion design, and interactive art, showcasing the dynamic influence of youth in the “AI + Art” movement. The district aspires to establish the AI Art Season as a national platform for AI art display, talent exchange, and the conversion of academic research into practical applications.

Yu Jihong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Beijing Normal University, articulated the goal of this festival as an important attempt at cross-disciplinary exploration in the realm of AI-generated content within the arts. He hopes this initiative will advance the construction of art disciplines and support the national strategy for cultural digitization by deeply exploring innovations in educational philosophy, content, and methods, alongside developing innovative interdisciplinary talent cultivation.

Huo Zhijing, Deputy Minister of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Propaganda and Director of the Beijing Film Bureau, expressed eagerness for the festival to evolve into a premier platform for producing exceptional works, nurturing talent, and building a reputable brand. Her vision includes unveiling a selection of compelling works each year that cater to the community's heightened cultural needs and discovering adaptable talent skilled in merging art and technology, thereby enhancing the cultural brand's impact in Haidian as a hub of innovation.

Co-hosted by the Haidian District Committee, the Haidian District Government, and Beijing Normal University, the event invited submissions from over 1,200 AI art pieces created by students from more than 175 universities across 70 cities nationwide, while also encouraging participation from international institutions. The festival’s results were announced at the event, awarding certificates to outstanding young creators, best advisors, and top organizers.

In the coming month, the AI Art Season will host a series of activities, including an AI Art Carnival from October 26 to 27 at the historic site of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway. This event will feature an AI art fashion show, a cultural market, VR interactive experiences, and AI robotics installations, inviting the public to explore innovative interactions in the realm of AI art.