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Time: Friday, March 27, 2026 19:00-20:30 Beijing Time
Language: Chinese and English
Artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a revolution driven by massive models, unprecedented compute power, and vast data resources. But beneath these visible layers lies an often unseen force: statistics — the discipline shaping the algorithms and ideas that power modern AI.
From Bayesian inference to probabilistic modeling, many of the core ideas behind today’s AI breakthroughs originate in statistical thinking. In fact, statistics provides not only the theoretical foundation for artificial intelligence and data science, but also continues to shape how AI models are designed, evaluated, and deployed.
In this online webinar, Professor Tian Zheng of Columbia University will present insights from the new report Frontiers of Statistics in Science and Engineering: 2035 and Beyond, reflecting on the historical and intellectual foundations behind many of today’s technological breakthroughs. Her talk will revisit the crucial role statistics has played across scientific and engineering disciplines, and explore why statistical thinking will remain an essential driver of innovation in the next phase of artificial intelligence.
A following panel of Columbia alumni, who are actively building and advancing AI technologies across different sectors, will dive into questions such as: What is truly new in the current wave of AI innovation? What core ideas remain fundamentally the same? And as AI systems become more powerful, how do we know what to trust, what counts as real evidence, and how to draw sound conclusions from imperfect or noisy data?
This webinar is open to the public, and participants are warmly invited to join online from anywhere.
We welcome students, researchers, and professionals from the AI industry who are interested in statistics, artificial intelligence, and the intellectual foundations of intelligent technologies to take part in this important conversation about the future of AI.
Speakers
Tian Zheng is a Professor of Statistics at Columbia University. Currently, she serves as the faculty lead of the aiX Faculty Fellowship Program at Columbia. She also co-chaired the inaugural AIX Summit East 2026 on April 17.
Bruce Yang is the founder and president of the AI4Finance Foundation and a Columbia University alumna.
Yiran Jiang is an Assistant Professor of Statistics at the University of Kentucky and a Columbia University alumna.
Yanjin Li is an AI researcher and entrepreneur dedicated to building generative AI creative systems for global enterprises. Currently an AI PhD candidate at the University of Tokyo and a Columbia University alumna.
