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China’s Leading Universities Boost AI Talent Development with Increased Enrollment

• Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
• Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Top universities in China announced plans to expand undergraduate enrollment to develop talent in areas like artificial intelligence.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• China’s top universities are expanding AI-focused undergraduate programs to nurture future talent.
• Peking, Renmin, and Shanghai Jiao Tong universities are increasing enrollment in AI, biomedicine, and emerging tech fields.
• China is fast-tracking AI education as part of its national strategy to become a global leader by 2035.

According to Reuters , Peking University announced this Saturday 150 undergraduate spots in 2025 to educate on fundamental disciplines related to areas of “national strategic importance” and emerging fields.

Renmin University also announced over 100 spots in multiple disciplines, including courses related to AI and innovation. Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiao Tong University added 150 places in areas such as biomedicine, new energy, AI, emerging industries, and other courses with focus on “cutting-edge technologies.”

China has been rapidly prioritizing AI education across multiple fields and academic environments, targeting learners of different age groups. the government outlined its goal to develop a “strong education nation” by 2035.

In February, multiple Chinese universities made announcements about new AI courses related to DeepSeek, just a few weeks after the AI model ranked in first place in Apple’s App Store in the United States. The advanced technology had a significant impact in the nation—and worldwide—boosting an academic trend including courses to understand the successful technology.

According to Fortune , these academic efforts are not limited to universities or adults. Children from six years old will be offered AI classes in school starting this fall. Multiple institutions in Beijing will offer multiple hours of AI classes to teach young students how to use AI models and tools and develop knowledge of the technology including AI ethics.

Another initiative gaining popularity in the country is the “ AI self-study room , ” an emerging business model that provides students with the necessary equipment and training—powered by AI—to develop new skills, as an affordable alternative to private tutors.

China stays ahead of market trends and demands in technology and education, preparing skilled professionals and citizens to navigate the changes brought by AI and maintain its global leadership in innovation.

Image by Diana Polekhina, from Unsplash

Self-Healing Robots Can Recover From Damage Without Human Help

• Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
• Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Scientists have developed a hydrogel that mimics human skin by combining strength, flexibility, and self-healing capabilities.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

• The robots use special materials to regenerate without human intervention.
• Self-healing tech could extend robot lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.
• Potential applications include space exploration, healthcare, and hazardous environments.

Created by researchers from Aalto University and the University of Bayreuth, this material can repair 80-90% of cuts in just four hours and fully heal within 24 hours, marking a significant advancement in materials science

The hydrogel’s innovative design is based on ultra-thin clay nanosheets that create a dense polymer network, enhancing its durability while preserving its ability to self-repair. The researchers achieved this by mixing a monomer powder with water containing nanosheets and exposing the solution to UV light.

“The UV radiation from the lamp causes the individual molecules to bind together so that everything becomes an elastic solid – a gel,” explained Chen Liang, one of the study’s authors, as reported on Interesting Engineering .

The key to the hydrogel’s self-healing ability lies in the entanglement of its polymers. “Entanglement means that the thin polymer layers start to twist around each other like tiny wool yarns, but in a random order,” said Hang Zhang from Aalto University, as reported on Eurekalert .

“When the polymers are fully entangled, they are indistinguishable from each other. They are very dynamic and mobile at the molecular level, and when you cut them, they start to intertwine again,” he added.

A one-millimeter-thick sample of the hydrogel contains around 10,000 layers of nanosheets, making it as stiff as human skin while maintaining flexibility. The material’s rapid healing and durability make it a promising candidate for applications in artificial skin, soft robotics, and biomedical technologies.

“This work is an exciting example of how biological materials inspire us to look for new combinations of properties for synthetic materials. Imagine robots with robust, self-healing skins or synthetic tissues that autonomously repair,” said Olli Ikkala from Aalto University, as reported on Eurekalert.

“It’s the kind of fundamental discovery that could renew the rules of material design,” he added.

The synthetic clay nanosheets used in the hydrogel were developed by Professor Josef Breu at the University of Bayreuth. The study, published in Nature Materials , represents a major step toward bio-inspired materials that could transform multiple industries, from wound healing to drug delivery and robotics.

While real-world applications are still in development, the potential of this technology is immense.

Researchers believe that with further improvements, self-healing synthetic tissues, flexible robotic skins, and medical materials with autonomous repair capabilities could soon become a reality.