On March 26th, Suzhou Pudu Co-Intelligence Technology Company, a collaboration between Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Baidu Group, was officially launched. This joint venture marks a significant milestone as China's first AI-focused initiative co-founded by Baidu and a university, signaling a new era of AI-driven advancements in education and industry.

Pudu Co-Intelligence aims to revolutionize the education value chain through AI innovation. The company's mission extends beyond academic circles, focusing on empowering industrial evolution and establishing localized service ecosystems. By integrating AI capabilities into various sectors, Pudu Co-Intelligence seeks to ensure rapid responses to industry needs and broaden the benefits of AI across the board.

Several key initiatives are planned, including the Pudu Co-Intelligence AI Forum, which will gather prominent figures such as Baidu's chief scientists, XJTLU's AI researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders. This forum will serve as a platform for sharing insights on cutting-edge technologies, AI research, policy interpretations, and industry experiences.

In addition to the forum, Pudu Co-Intelligence will launch the AI Learning Space, featuring AI-powered teaching hardware and a large-model training system. This space will offer personalized learning paths, mixed-reality labs, and intelligent evaluation and feedback tools to enhance the learning experience.

The Pudu Co-Intelligence Large Model Research Collaboration Platform will integrate Baidu's generative AI capabilities with XJTLU's research expertise. This platform aims to optimize the research cycle, acting as a "super brain" for researchers and fostering innovation.

To cultivate AI talent, the AI+ Professional Certification Programme will certify academic staff, alumni, and managers in digital transformation. Furthermore, the Pudu Co-Intelligence Cup AI innovative application competition will connect industrial demands with teaching and research, fostering collaboration between local governments, enterprises, and academia.

The establishment of Pudu Co-Intelligence builds upon the existing collaboration between XJTLU and Baidu, which began in 2023 with the XJTLU-PaddlePaddle AI Industry Institute and the Baidu AI Cloud Qianfan Large-Scale Model Platform (Suzhou) Innovation Centre. The XJTLU-Baidu Artificial Intelligence Innovation Alliance was also launched with the support of the Suzhou Industrial Park government.

Dr. Dou Shen, Executive Vice President of Baidu, emphasized the joint venture's significance, stating, "This joint venture with XJTLU represents Baidu's deepening commitment to university-enterprise collaboration in AI." Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, added, "By blending research and talent development at universities with real-world industrial scenarios, we can accelerate the translation of research into tangible applications, taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies, including AI."