On April 26, NYU Shanghai successfully concluded its fourth Digital Innovation Challenge.
Themed as “Artificial Intelligence Empowering Personalized Education”, the competition was organized by the student-led club NYUSHDIC, with full support from the Division of Computer Science, Data Science, and Engineering (CSDSE). The event also received generous sponsorship from well-known companies, including Duolingo, Tianmutangyun Technology, SenseTime, Yangyan Technology, and VCREDIT.
The Challenge saw participation from nearly 70 teams representing ten universities, including NYU Shanghai, Peking University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Fudan University, Duke Kunshan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, ShanghaiTech University, Tongji University, the University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This diverse range of participants added a wealth of perspectives and ideas to the competition. After a rigorous five-month selection process, 14 teams advanced to the final round.
Group photo of the participants
The competition featured four thematic tracks: AI for personalized education, innovative language assessment technologies, immersive learning experiences, and interdisciplinary teaching innovation. Teams were tasked with designing AI-driven solutions tailored to real-world needs, combining academic research, industrial insight, and hands-on development.
The competition officially launched in November 2024, featuring an expert panel that included Xiao Min, Head of Education Research at SenseTime;Lu Yuqi, Data Scientist at Tangyun Technology; Liu Liu, Market Development Manager of the Duolingo English Test; Wilson Tam, Professor of Practice in Computer Science and Deputy Director of Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning; and Wen Hongyi, Assistant Professor of Computer Science. These speakers not only guided participants through the key themes of each track but also provided valuable insights and feedback throughout the competition. Industry leaders such as Zhang Zheng, Director of Amazon Web Services (AWS)Shanghai AI Lab, and Marc Aafjes, founder of Deliberate AI, also delivered insightful talks on the latest trends in AI.
Professor Tam introduceing the Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Artificial IntelligenceAI and Deep Learning to the audience.
Professor Tam remarked, “DIC provides an invaluable hands-on platform for young students. We hope that it inspires creative thinking and practical enthusiasm, allowing high-quality educational ideas to take root and drive digital transformation and innovation in the education sector.”
At the final event, Professor Jeff Xia, deputy president of the Great Bay Institute for Advanced Study, delivered a keynote address on the deep connections between mathematics, astronomy, and artificial intelligence. He discussed how mathematical laws and cosmic observations could inform the development of next-generation AI models. The expert judging panel—comprising Professor Qiao Yu, Vice Dean of Shanghai Innovation Institute;Dai Juan, President of the Education Division at SenseTime; Qin Long, Senior Director at Alibaba Cloud; and Terry Xu, Director of Data & AI Business Solutions for Microsoft Cloud in Chinaevaluated the teams based on technical innovation, business potential, and societal impact.
Professor Jeff Xia delivering the keynote speech
Judges engage in a panel discussion. From left to right: Gong Yisheng, Qiao Yu, Qin Long, Dai Juan, Terry Xu
After three rounds of intense competition, the First, Second, and Third Prizes, as well as honors for Best Innovation, Best Business Potential, and Best Technical Performance, were awarded. This year, a special Principal’s Choice Award was also introduced, in alignment with the theme of personalized education.
“This event was uniquely designed and truly showcased the creativity and imagination of young students. Many of the projects left lasting impressions on me,” commented Professor Qiao Yu. “The organization of the competition was also highly efficient, demonstrating the energy and capability of NYU Shanghai’s students.”
“DIC highlighted the remarkable creativity of NYU Shanghai students,” said Ma Feng, High School Principal of Shanghai High School International Division and a panel judge. “They demonstrated interdisciplinary strength, outstanding technological literacy, a collaborative spirit, humanistic concern, and a passion for AI. It gave me a strong sense of the vitality and promise of the younger generation.”
On the day of the finals, NYU Shanghai Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman was present to witness the students’ impressive performances.
Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman delivering the opening remarks.
“In today’s new era, the questions of what to learn and how to learn have become a central issue for education,” Chancellor Lehman noted in his opening remarks. “And team competitions like this offer an important path for exploring these questions.”
He added, “DIC is not just a contest—it’s a growth experience. Here, students collaborate, compete, and learn to win together. These abilities are essential for their future workforce.”
Professor Gene Wen (left) moderated the judges’ panel discussion and presented awards to the winning teams.
Leo Shao, a sophomore majoring in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and current president of the NYUSHDIC, who served as the primary organizer of this year’s competition, emphasized that they focused on integrating industry resources to enhance the event’s practical value. “After attending an industry expo on AI-powered education last summer, we established collaborations with several tech companies to ensure our competition projects address real pain points in these industries.”
DIC President Leo Shao highlighting key features of this year’s Digital Innovation Challenge
He also emphasized the importance of legacy in sustaining DIC's growth. “From the founding member, Class of 2023 alumnaHuang Yuying, to former president Wu Ruilin and former vice president Zhao Zifan, successive generations of club members have laid a strong foundation for the event’s institutionalization.”
Now, DIC has already attracted students from over ten top universities across China. “In the future, we plan to expand the scale of the competition so that more students, both domestic and international ones, can come together to exchange their ideas on digital innovation.”
Chen Wanyu, a sophomore majoring in Interactive Media Arts (IMA) and head of the DIC publicity team, was responsible for managing the event’s social media and promotional content. Reflecting on the preparation process, she shared, “The way the entire team poured their strength together toward a shared goal made me feel both grounded and deeply moved. Watching students from diverse fields like computer science, data science, business, and interactive media collaborate and grow through creative exchange—this kind of interdisciplinary synergy is exactly what DIC values most.”
She hopes that DIC can continue to promote this inclusive, interdisciplinary model of innovation. “I look forward to seeing more solutions in the future that combine technical breakthroughs with real-world relevance—solutions that truly respond to society’s evolving needs.”
Nasir Memon, Interim Dean of CSDSE at NYU Shanghai and founder of Cybersecurity Games & Conference (CSAW)—the world’s largest student-run cybersecurity competition,expressed his delight at the continued growth of DIC.
“This year’s participants came not only from Shanghai but also from leading universities in Beijing, Hong Kong, and beyond,” he noted. “The event also received its first-ever corporate sponsorship—a significant milestone in bridging academia and industry. We’re steadily moving toward building DIC into a national platform for innovation.”