Klaus Mainzer, a renowned expert in artificial intelligence and President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, recently embarked on a significant academic tour in China. On the evening of November 6, 2024，invited by the College of Civil Engineering at Tongji University, Klaus Mainzer delivered insightful lectures on the Future of Sustainable Innovation: From Digital, Simulation, Quantum, and Brain-inspired Computing to Hybrid Artificial Intelligence at the Siping Road campus. The lecture was moderated by Professor Zhou Ying, Dean of the College of Civil Engineering.

In his lecture, Professor Mainzer drew upon his extensive research in complex systems and AI to discuss how sustainable computing technologies could be pivotal in tackling global environmental and climate challenges. The event attracted over 300 students and faculty members from diverse academic disciplines.

Professor Mainzer began by outlining the evolution of artificial intelligence technologies, referencing the Turing machine. He stressed the need for new computing paradigms as traditional digital computation nears its limits. Emerging technologies like quantum computing and neuromorphic computing not only present potential solutions but also offer pathways to advancements in artificial general intelligence. He highlighted the energy consumption issues associated with AI, emphasizing the necessity for researchers to explore ways to mimic the human brain's efficiency in performing intricate computations. He concluded that such innovations demand not just technological breakthroughs but also comprehensive interdisciplinary research spanning logic, mathematics, physics, engineering, cognitive science, and philosophy.

Throughout the lecture, Professor Mainzer actively engaged with the audience, addressing their inquiries about the future of artificial intelligence while sharing his unique insights. Many students expressed that his presentation enriched their understanding and inspired their enthusiasm for technological innovation.

Professor Klaus Mainzer, President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, is a member of the German National Academy of Science and Engineering and the Academy of Europe. He is an esteemed Professor Emeritus at the Technical University of Munich and a Senior Professor at the University of Tübingen. His previous positions include Vice President of the University of Konstanz, founding Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Informatics at the University of Augsburg, Director of the Carl von Linde Institute, and founding Director of the Munich Center for Technology in Society at the Technical University of Munich. He has made significant contributions to complex dynamical systems and artificial intelligence (AI), having authored over 40 books, including Thinking in Complexity, Artificial Intelligence,Chaos, Life and Machines, and Artificial Intelligence—When Will Machines Take Control?