AI research engineer from US tech industry visited XLIS

On October 16th, Mr. Zheng Wang, a Senior Engineer from Meta, Facebook’s parent company, visited XLIS and held an engaging seminar with our secondary students.

Mr. Wang, born and raised in Xi’an, China, graduated with a degree in Communication Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University before pursuing further studies in the United States. He worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft in Seattle, USA, where he focused on cutting-edge technologies such as HoloLens, 3D printing, and 3D scanning. Additionally, he served as a Research Engineer at Industrial Light & Magic, the renowned special effects company, contributing to Hollywood blockbusters like Star Wars: Episode VII, Pacific Rim, and Noah. He is currently a Staff Engineer at Meta, working in the Meta Reality Labs department, focusing on the research and development of AR, VR, and related technologies, driving innovation in virtual reality headsets and smart glasses.

In the past two years, with the rapid development of AI, every industry has faced unprecedented challenges. The significant shift from processing the form of information to processing the content and knowledge within that information has not only impacted the field of cutting-edge technology but also caused irreversible disruptions to traditional industries. When we turn our focus to international education, what challenges do students and teachers need to confront? How can we find breakthroughs amidst these changes and seize the opportunities of this era, ensuring that AI serves us effectively? These are the key questions Mr. Wang aims to explore in depth with teachers and students during his visit to our school.

For most people, AI is not a topic that can be easily explained in just a few words. The many technical terms and the strong logic behind them can easily confuse non-professional audiences. During his presentation to our middle school students, Mr. Wang began with popular Hollywood films that the students were familiar with. After capturing their attention with the powerful visual effects, he unveiled the special effects techniques behind these blockbusters, breaking down the complex principles of AI in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. As a result, the students were both entertained and able to grasp the concepts.

In the subsequent discussions with high school teachers and students, the topics became noticeably deeper, and the concerns raised were more specific. One of the teachers’ main anxieties centered around the extent to which the teaching profession might be replaced by AI in the near future. As AI’s thought processes increasingly resemble those of humans, its ability to produce and disseminate knowledge will undoubtedly surpass human capabilities in the future. So, what core competencies must teachers possess to ensure they remain indispensable and are not replaced by AI?

For high school students preparing to apply to university and soon enter the job market, their concerns are more specific. In today’s world, where AI is rapidly replacing certain traditional jobs, many professions are expected to disappear in the near future. So, how should university students prepare in advance for the impact of AI on the job market? What qualities do globally renowned companies like Meta prioritize when hiring employees? Are opportunities limited to students from Ivy League universities? What steps should students take to secure internships during university? And how can they stand out in the increasingly competitive global talent pool?

Mr. Wang acknowledged that globally renowned companies do tend to prioritize graduates from prestigious universities during recruitment, and academic credentials still carry significant weight. However, these companies also offer internship opportunities to current university students, encouraging them to actively pursue these chances. In today’s era, where AI is freeing up labour and even increasing productivity by replacing human tasks, what we need to focus on is seeking out opportunities or fields that highly value creativity and innovation. It is also an undeniable fact that, despite AI’s rapid development so far, it will continue to evolve at an even faster pace, and no one in the tech industry can stop these global changes. The only option for the younger generation is to understand the past and commit to continuous learning. Only by knowing where they have come from can they understand where they are heading.

“We still believe that certain skills can never be replaced by AI, and that is exactly why we are here, communicating face-to-face. This is what distinguishes us from machines. We must maintain critical thinking, uphold our personal values, preserve our human perception, identify our true strengths and interests, and then explore the key factors for success in those fields,” Mr. Wang said.

Adhering to a student-centered vision, XLIS is committed to empowering students to become confident, open-minded global citizens. The new generation of international students should not only possess a wealth of knowledge and multilingual communication skills but also have the ability to stay attuned to emerging trends, accurately understand the demands of the times, and boldly embrace new ideas and cutting-edge technologies. In line with this vision, XLIS will spare no effort to provide more educational resources for student growth and bring together experts and scholars from diverse fields of international education. This ensures that students remain connected to the latest developments and have the opportunity for face-to-face conversations with authoritative and reliable mentors when needed. By absorbing the energy of the times, they will be more ready to face the forthcoming future.

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Author: Fancy Fan (Admin Officer)

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Author: Fancy Fan

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