At noon on March 12, Sias University officially launched its Spring 2026 “Free Lunch Lecture” series at the sunken lecture hall on the first floor of Building T19. Centered on cutting-edge AI topics, the opening lecture attracted a large number of faculty and students, who made the most of their lunch break to enjoy a unique experience combining intellectual exchange with a relaxed dining atmosphere.

At the start of the event, university leadership introduced the origins of the “Free Lunch Lecture” initiative and outlined the semester’s overall plan. Inspired by the “Brown Bag Lunch” model widely adopted by international universities, the program is designed to create a “second classroom” during lunchtime on campus. A total of 18 themed lectures will be rolled out throughout the semester. The series aims to stay aligned with the forefront of the times, broaden perspectives, stimulate deeper thinking through informal interaction, and embody a people-centered educational philosophy. Faculty and students were encouraged to make full use of these opportunities, cultivating the insight and confidence needed to navigate the future.

Shen Jianjing, Director of the School of Engineering, delivered the first lecture titled “AI: Impact and Action — Steering Your Own Course in the Age of Intelligence.” Focusing on the dual dimensions of impact and action, he provided an in-depth analysis of the opportunities and challenges brought by the AI era, offering clear guidance for talent development. He emphasized the importance of core competencies such as AI literacy and higher-order thinking, while also highlighting the “golden window” AI presents for student entrepreneurship. He encouraged participants to seize these opportunities through concrete action. During the session, Shen engaged in an interactive Q&A with the audience, guiding them to actively and effectively use AI tools. He repeatedly stressed that “the ability to take action is the most powerful competitive advantage in the AI era,” earning enthusiastic applause from attendees.

As the opening event of the Spring semester “Free Lunch Lecture” series, this AI-themed lecture effectively enhanced faculty and students’ digital literacy and understanding of artificial intelligence, providing valuable guidance for navigating the intelligent age.

Looking ahead, Sias University will continue to use this lecture series as a platform to deliver more diverse and forward-looking topics, transforming fragmented lunchtime into valuable opportunities for broadening horizons and inspiring ideas, and helping faculty and students chart a clear course in an ever-evolving world.