On April 26, 2023, Fudan University (FDU) and UNU Macau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enriching students' educational and professional development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This collaboration offers FDU students the unique opportunity to intern at UNU Macau, gaining hands-on experience in a global research setting. Here is how Chu Chu, a Fudan student, made the most of this opportunity.
Chu Chu’s Journey: From Fudan to UNU Macau
Chu Chu, a Ph.D. candidate in Communication Studies from Fudan University’s School of Journalism, embarked on the journey as a Communications Fellow at UNU Macau from December 2023 to June 2024. In this role, she played a key part in communications and external relations, contributing significantly to the planning and execution of the UNU Macau AI Conference 2024. Her work not only fostered global dialogue on AI and sustainable development but also brought her academic research to life.
Communication isn't just about passing on information - it's about creating connections and sparking cultural growth.
During her fellowship, Chu Chu successfully integrated diverse cultural perspectives, shaping global conversations around responsible AI. This experience deepened her understanding of how the United Nations approaches international and cross-cultural communication, providing her with a strong foundation for both her academic and professional endeavors.
Facilitating Global AI Dialogue
As part of her role, Chu Chu was instrumental in promoting the UNU Generative AI Series, a collection of webinars that featured renowned scholars and researchers discussing the impact of generative AI in fields such as health, education, the environment, climate change, UN peacekeeping, and humanitarian work. By managing and promoting these events, she not only facilitated the exchange of knowledge on emerging AI trends but also honed her expertise in cross-cultural communication.
In April 2024, UNU Macau hosted the UNU Macau AI Conference 2024 under the theme “AI For All: Bridging Divides, Building A Sustainable Future.” Chu Chu played a key role in the communications team, spearheading a multimedia, multi-channel social media campaign for the conference. Her efforts in real-time global promotion and capturing key moments on social media significantly boosted the event’s global impact and engagement.
Communicating and coordinating with over 120 speakers from more than 30 countries not only enhanced my project management and cross-cultural communication skills but also provided me with a unique opportunity to engage in dialogue with professionals from various sectors related to AI.
Chu Chu’s contributions extended beyond communication and event management. She presented her research at two sessions during the conference. In her independent presentation, “The Culture Industry Under Algorithmic Distribution in the Intelligence Era,” she explored the intersection of the cultural industry, AI, and algorithmic bias. Additionally, she collaborated with UNU Macau research fellow Jia An Liu in the session “AI Agents in Practice: Harnessing AI for All,” where they examined the evolution of AI agents based on large language models (LLMs) from an interdisciplinary perspective.
For more details, check out the UNU Macau AI Conference 2024 Proceedings Report.
Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations
UNU Macau is deeply committed to youth engagement, offering a range of short- and long-term projects designed to support young people at various stages of their education and careers. With the collaborative efforts of partners from across the globe, we anticipate further partnerships with universities and continued engagement with UNU Macau in the future.
Suggested citation: Chu Chu., "Connecting Cultures and AI: Chu Chu's Journey at UNU Macau," UNU Macau (blog), 2024-08-30, 2024, https://unu.edu/macau/blog-post/connecting-cultures-and-ai-chu-chus-journey-unu-macau.
