From June 16 to 17, 2023, the "Global Frontier Science 50 Think Tank Forum (The Second)" (hereafter referred to as "the Forum") was successfully held in Chengdu, China. More than 300 top scientists, government representatives, scholars, and business leaders worldwide participated in the Forum, focusing on "New Quality Productive Forces in a Global Perspective", and discussing in-depth topics such as cutting-edge science and technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and industrial innovation. The International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO-ICHEI) delegation shared with global experts and leaders of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at the Forum. The UNESCO-ICHEI delegates explored potential cooperation opportunities in AI and higher education with HEIs and enterprise partners. Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, delivered a keynote speech at the Forum, and Prof. LI Ming, Secretary-General of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Secretariat, delivered a closing speech.

The Forum was initiated and co-organised by UNESCO-ICHEI, the School of Humanities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Research Centre for World Economics at Renmin University of China, Chengdu University of Technology, the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence at Southwest Jiaotong University, the School of Life Sciences at Chongqing University. The Forum held five thematic sub-forums, covering the Chinese path to modernization towards 2030 and 2050, global disruptive technologies, global cutting-edge biotechnology, AI development, and the construction of a national strategic hinterland for the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.

On the morning of June 16, Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, delivered a keynote speech at the parallel forum "New Quality Productive Forces in a Global Perspective and AI Development towards 2035 and 2050", sharing the theme of "Multilateral Collaboration to Promote the Global Application of Educational Technology and Transformation of Higher Education in the Era of AI". Ms. BI Xiaohan introduced the current trend of AI integration with higher education and emphasised that HEIs in developing countries are generally optimistic about AI technology, but still face many challenges in policy making and governance, curriculum development, infrastructure, and educators' capacity building. Based on the advantages of the high-tech industry and higher education resources in the Chengdu-Chongqing region, UNESCO-ICHEI will provide an international platform for local enterprises, institutions and other partners to promote education projects and technological solutions globally and empower the digital transformation of HEIs in developing countries.

On the afternoon of June 16, Prof. LI Ming, Secretary General of the IIOE Secretariat, delivered a speech at the Closing Ceremony, recognising the high standard and significant influence of the Forum. Under the theme of "New Quality Productive Forces in a Global Perspective", the research in frontier science will be more focused. The Forum gathered HEIs' leaders, academic experts, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to contribute innovative ideas and research outcomes, as well as promote talent cultivation and information exchange. In addition, Prof. LI Ming offered constructive suggestions for the future design and organization of the Forum, aiming to transform multi-stakeholder cooperation and exchange into actionable policy recommendations, thereby further enhancing the Forum's influence within the global scientific community.

At the Forum, attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as the frontiers of science and jointly explored new paths for technology innovation to lead future development. The Forum aims to build an exchange platform with global impact, promote the localisation of global cutting-edge technologies, and form an industrial ecosystem with international competitiveness, which has injected new vitality into scientific and technological innovation and sustainable development, and the technological changes will also bring new opportunities for the digital transformation of higher education in the AI era.