Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) hosted the 2025 High-Level Forum on Foreign Language Disciplinary Development and Talent Cultivation in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence on May 29. Under the theme “Technological Empowerment and Humanistic Commitment”, the event was jointly organized by the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation and the Center for Faculty Development.

The forum united leading scholars in foreign language and literature from top Chinese universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China and Zhejiang University, to address the evolving needs of foreign language education in the AI era. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the opportunities and challenges posed by AI technologies, as well as strategies for adapting to these changes.

Jia Wenjian, president of BFSU and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, delivers opening remarks via video. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

In his opening remarks delivered via video, Jia Wenjian, president of BFSU and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, emphasized the timeliness and significance of the forum. In response to the rapid advancement of generative AI technologies, he proposed building an AI-assisted ecosystem for foreign language education through collaborative teaching models involving teachers, students and AI, as well as promoting interdisciplinary integration to cultivate innovative and versatile talent.

Jia also advised creating language service platforms to enhance China’s international discourse power and cultural soft power, and developing new models for training globally competent individuals who can uphold humanistic values and remain competitive in the AI era.

Liu Xinlu, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, chairs the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The opening ceremony was chaired by Liu Xinlu, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university. He stressed that in the era of AI, achieving the balance between technological innovation and humanistic values in areas such as foreign language teaching, academic research and intercultural communication has become a shared concern in the academic community. He welcomed scholars to exchange views and explore this pressing topic.

Twelve scholars deliver keynote speeches. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

A roundtable session is held during the forum. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The forum featured a keynote session by 12 speakers and a roundtable discussion, where participants explored the overall impact of AI technologies on foreign language teaching, the urgency of improving teachers’ digital literacy, typical translation errors under the influence of AI and the integration of AI into classroom instruction.

At the closing of the forum, Jin Li, professor at BFSU, emphasized the importance of grounding efforts in the intrinsic positioning of humanities, arguing that deepening internal understanding is key to fostering shifts in societal perception. In the face of the AI wave, she noted, foreign language disciplines should actively embrace change in order to forge new paths.

Participants of the 2025 High-Level Forum on Foreign Language Disciplinary Development and Talent Cultivation in the Age of Generative AI pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The forum offered a comprehensive exploration of the development path for foreign language disciplines in the age of AI, where scholars examined how to strike a balance between technological empowerment and the preservation of humanistic values. They underscored that while promoting the integration of AI and education, it is essential to remain vigilant against technological erosion and uphold disciplinary essence.