Professor Chen Zhenming, Director of the Institute of Public Policy Studies, delivered an inspiring speech on "AI for Public Policy" or "Policy Intelligence"—a research agenda of "AI+Public Policy" at the inaugural International Conference on Chinese Public Policy Research, which held at the Yingdong Academic Hall of Beijing Normal University on June 15, 2024. His speech attracted widespread attention from the attendees and provided new insights and directions for other scholars in the field of public policy.

From a global perspective, Prof. Chen reveals the far-reaching impact of the Intelligent Age on the evolution of human society. He emphasized the new scenario for the development of public policy and governance theory and practice: There is a growing trend towards the practice of data-enabled and intelligent decision-making, and a new paradigm of digitally-driven public policy is gaining prominence. Prof. Chen believes that public policy is one of the most worthwhile social science fields to study in the era of digital intelligence and elaborates on the topic from three aspects, the characteristics of the digital intelligence era, the evolution of scientific paradigm, and the research prospect of "AI+Public Policy".

Starting with the landmark event and news hotspot ChatGPT, Prof. Chen vividly explained the ability of AI in understanding and interacting with real-world scenarios. He provided a straightforward introduction to the forefront developments of AI technology, and triggered concerns and thoughts about the advent of the intelligence era and "digital survival". Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of public policy research in the context of scientific and technological development. At the same time, he also emphasized the importance of public policy research in the context of scientific and technological development, and that public policy research not only requires traditional theories and methods, but also needs to keep pace with the development of science and technology, and integrate the research results of emerging technologies. Secondly, Professor Chen discussed the paradigm shift from data-driven to AI-driven approaches, highlighting the fifth paradigm of AI for Science or AI-driven scientific research. He mentioned that digital driving must combine with high technology to bring about significant transformations in scientific research, which underscores the meaning of digital driving and interdisciplinary combinations. AI-driven social science research and AI-driven public governance research are emerging, changing the methods, scope, themes, and knowledge forms and landscapes of social science and public policy research. In brief, social sciences, including public management and public policy, are experiencing a methodological revolution. Then, Prof. Chen discussed the research agenda and prospect of "AI+Public Policy" and emphasized the important position of AI in government decision-making and services, compared with the traditional model, that digital technology has moved from being an assistive tool to being an important influence on decision-making programmes and agendas. The main body of public decision-making and mode of data-intelligent gradually moving towards human-machine collaboration and human-machine fusion and human-machine integration.

Prof. Chen stated that public policy is at a new turning point. Scholars and policy practitioners need to pay close attention to the complex public policy issues posed by the development of AI technology and contribute to the advancement of public policy. At the same time, he also hoped to communicate and cooperate with more experts and scholars, and jointly promote the prosperity of policy science.

Introduction to Keynote Speakers

Zhenming Chen, "Nanqiang" Distinguished Professor of Xiamen University, Director of the Department of Social Sciences, Director of the Institute of Public Policy Studies, Founding Dean of the School of Public Affairs of Xiamen University; "Cheung Kong Scholars" Distinguished Professor of the Ministry of Education, "Ten Thousand People Program" first batch of philosophical and social science leaders, "Cultural Masters" and "Four Batch of Talents" of the National Propaganda and Culture System; Academic Advisory Board of the Chinese Society of Administration. He is also a special professor of "Yangtze River Scholars" under the Ministry of Education, one of the first batch of philosophical and social science leading talents under the "Ten Thousand People Program" of the Ministry of Organization and Development, a member of the "Famous Cultural Masters" and the "Four Batch of Talents" of the National Propaganda and Culture System; a member of the Academic Advisory Committee of the Chinese Society of Administration and Management, and an advisor to the Fujian Provincial People's Government. Member of the Academic Advisory Committee of the Chinese Society of Administrative Management and Advisor to the People's Government of Fujian Province; Member of the Sixth and Seventh Academic Degree Committee of the State Council Public Administration Discipline Review Group and Convener of the Seventh Academic Degree Committee of the State Council, Member of the Eighth National Natural Science Foundation of China Expert Advisory Committee of the Department of Management Science, Member of the 1st-4th National Steering Committee of Graduate Education in Public Administration, Member of the "Fudan Prize for Outstanding Contributions to the Management "He is also a member of the Steering Committee for Graduate Education in Public Administration for the 1st to 4th terms.