The First Forum on the Communication Power and Influence of Chinese Civilization is held at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, capital of China, June 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wei Mengjia)

BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Experts called for the wise use of artificial intelligence (AI) to expand the reach and boost the appeal of Chinese civilization during a one-day forum held in Beijing.

The First Forum on the Communication Power and Influence of Chinese Civilization took place on Wednesday, coinciding with the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

Hosted by the International Institute of Chinese Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University (IICS-BFSU), the inaugural forum served as a platform for experts to share their views on the international communication of Chinese civilization and to explore a new path for fostering cultural exchanges.

The rise of AI has become a new variable in the research and promotion of Chinese civilization and is profoundly reshaping the landscape of exchanges among the world's civilizations, said Niu Xiping, vice president of the International Confucian Association, at the forum's opening ceremony.

"AI can help us break through the major barriers of language and culture, allowing the core value of Chinese civilization to be known globally in a swift manner," Niu noted, describing it as "an unprecedented opportunity" for Chinese civilization.

The application of AI to cultural promotion efforts in Dunhuang, a key hub on the ancient Silk Road in Gansu Province, northwest China, illustrates the scholar's viewpoint.

In recent years, the Dunhuang Academy has been committed to developing the "Digital Library Cave," an online platform for the global public to digitally explore the cultural relics of the Library Cave in the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the historic city.

Powered by cutting-edge AI tools, the platform allows users to seamlessly translate classical texts into multiple languages with one click and instantly ask an AI assistant for clarification, thereby lowering the barrier to engaging with Dunhuang culture.

More AI-powered innovations are underway to infuse new vitality into Dunhuang's enduring culture, ranging from breathing animated life into ancient murals to reviving centuries-old musical scores as modern melodies, said Tian Weiwei, an IICS-BFSU expert.

What underpins such AI-driven cultural practice is the country's solid foundation and rapid progress in AI technology. Data shows that China was home to over 6,000 AI enterprises in 2025, while the output value of the core AI industry was projected to surpass 1.2 trillion yuan (about 176 billion U.S. dollars) over the same period, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 30 percent.

Based on these achievements, China vows to fully implement the "AI plus" initiative and utilize AI to empower all sectors, including culture, according to the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

However, new challenges also emerged along with AI's potential for empowerment. "AI's algorithmic bias may lead to cultural misinterpretation and erode our cultural authenticity," said Xu Chang'an, an expert from the Party school of the Hinggan League Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Xu Baofeng, head of the College of Sinology and Chinese Studies at the Beijing Language and Culture University, echoed the idea in his interview with Xinhua. He noted that AI tools sometimes failed to provide an accurate analysis and explanation of Chinese civilization due to a lack of cross-language alignment models.

In response to the problem, Xu Baofeng and his research team are coordinating with overseas sinologists to develop such models to better interpret the knowledge and value system of Chinese civilization in different languages and strengthen mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.

"We should neither be overoptimistic about AI nor shy away from the technology," Niu voiced a balanced attitude during his speech. "Facing the irreversible trend, it's imperative to conduct more research on how to leverage the strength of AI in promoting Chinese civilization." ■