The University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) served as a co-organizer of the 2026 Global South Modernization Forum held in Cairo, Egypt, on September 30. Themed "The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges for Modernization in the Global South," the forum brought together more than 100 experts and scholars from nearly 30 countries and regions to discuss AI-driven modernization. Several USTB scholars were invited to speak at the main forum and parallel sessions, sharing their insights on AI and contributing the university’s perspectives to discussions on Global South development.

At the main forum’s "Global South Youth Perspectives" session, Yuan Zhaolin, Associate Professor at the School of Artificial Intelligence, USTB, shared practical insights on intelligent industrial transformation. Drawing on his team’s experience in applying AI technologies in Zambian mines, Yuan highlighted how intelligent technologies can support industrial upgrading across the Global South.

At the parallel session on security and the digital divide, two USTB scholars participated in separate roundtable discussions. Duan Xiaofang, Dean and Professor at the China Belt and Road Development Institute, outlined pathways for AI technology transfer, capacity building and South-South cooperation. Qin Jingyan, Associate Dean and Professor at the School of Artificial Intelligence, examined global AI governance frameworks and approaches to bridging the digital divide.

The forum highlighted USTB’s interdisciplinary strengths in artificial intelligence and Belt and Road research, underscoring the university's active role in promoting international digital cooperation and advancing Global South modernization.