On June 17th, the Promotion Conference for the 2025 Nanjing Gulou Algorithm Innovation Zone, jointly organized by the People's Government of Gulou District and Jiangsu Open University, was held at the Shangri-La Hotel Nanjing. Representatives from industries, scientific institutions, universities, financial sectors, and innovation platforms gathered to explore new pathways for algorithm-enabled industrial transformation and chart a digital-driven future.
Ding Rongyu, Secretary of the Party Committee and President of JSOU, delivered a keynote speech at the event. He emphasized that artificial intelligence is reshaping the global landscape with disruptive force, and algorithms—as the core engine of the digital era—are pivotal in driving technological innovation and societal transformation. Gulou’s strategic focus on establishing itself as an algorithm innovation hub marks a milestone in computing ecosystem development and serves as a collaborative platform to navigate regional growth in the AI age, Ding stated. He affirmed JSOU's commitment to deepening cooperation in building the Algorithm Innovation Zone, advancing digital and AI education, and fostering an industry-academia-research-application integrated model to fuel sustainable innovation in the regional digital economy.
In 2024, JSOU, leveraging platforms like the Jiangsu Innovation Ecosystem Research Institute and the Intelligent Manufacturing and Digital Transformation Technology Industry College, partnered with the Gulou government to formulate and launch the Implementation Plan for Building Gulou’s 'Algorithm Innovation Zone' (2024-2026), marking the official launch of the initiative. Over the past year, the Jiangsu Innovation Ecosystem Research Institute has collaborated with Gulou District government, Gulou Development and Reform Commission, and Gulou High-Tech Zone to accelerate progress under the Ten Major Initiatives. This conference further unveiled the 12345 development strategy, focusing on: 1 core goal: establishing a hub for algorithm and AI industry innovation; 2 key pathways: advancing the Enterprise Deep-Root and Talent Intelligence Pool projects; 3 foundational pillars: enhancing algorithm innovation, expanding accessible computing power, and unlocking data value; 4 priority sectors: AI + biopharma, AI + green energy, AI + commerce/culture/tourism, and AI + shipping/logistics; 5-year vision: structured growth in industrial layout, scale, platform development, talent cultivation, and innovative applications.
The conference also featured the launch ceremony of the Algorithm Talent Pool initiative and major project signings, attended by Huang Li, Dean of the School of Information Engineering, and Xu De from the School of Architectural Engineering.
