North America Outlook | Reported by Ruixiang Sun (Jack Sun) — On March 3, 2023, the “ChatGPT Literature Symposium” was successfully held online from Toronto, Canada, and broadcast globally via YouTube. As the first international high-level forum dedicated to the intersection of ChatGPT and literary creation, the event gathered leading scholars, engaged directly with cutting-edge theory, and drew widespread attention across sectors—yielding significant outcomes.

On November 30, 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a general-purpose chatbot powered by large language model technology. Within weeks, it gained worldwide popularity, especially in fields such as literature and journalism, sparking a wave of experimentation. In response to this wave, the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, together with the Toronto Liaison Office of the Zhongguancun Science Park Administration, Chinese PEN Canada, the Canadian University Literary Society, and the Chinese University Alumni Calligraphy and Art Committee, jointly hosted the “ChatGPT Literature Symposium.” The goal was to promote understanding of AI-powered chatbots, encourage literary creation with ChatGPT, foster dialogue between humanities scholars and AI technologists, and advance the cultural industrialization of artificial intelligence.

During the symposium, welcome remarks were delivered by key organizers: Zhilai Zhang, Chairman of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee; Guangli Wang, Director of the Zhongguancun Science Park Toronto Liaison Office; and Yuanye, President of the Canadian University Literary Society. They extended warm congratulations on the success of the world’s first symposium dedicated to ChatGPT literature.

Symposium Explores Six Key Topics in AI Literature
The symposium focused on six hot-button issues:

1. The creative quality of AI-generated literary works
2. The distinction between AI-generated and human-authored literature
3. The impact of AI on journalism and media culture
4. Copyright issues surrounding AI-generated content
5. The influence of AI literature on university-level literary education
6. Future outlook: the evolving relationship, division of roles, and influence of AI on human life

Keynote speakers included renowned scholars and writers Jin Pang, Yan Li, Bo Sun, and Ruixiang Sun, with Liming Dong serving as the panel commentator. The event was hosted by Jie Yang, a prominent Canadian presenter and senior reporter for OMNI TV’s City Focus, while Dawei Yuan, Secretary-General of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, provided technical support for the Zoom conference and YouTube livestream.

Each topic featured one main speaker, followed by responses from other panelists, expert commentary, and live audience Q&A. All guest speakers had personally engaged in ChatGPT-based writing experiments, and their presentations were grounded in practical insights, strong theoretical frameworks, and real-world examples.

“Beyond the bamboo, peach blossoms bloom; the duck senses the spring before others know.”
This two-hour-plus symposium proved to be intellectually stimulating, forward-looking, and rich in discussion. The pre-event announcement attracted over 100,000 views in a short span. The 100-person Zoom meeting room was at full capacity, with many more watching live on YouTube. The Zoom chat saw lively discussion, as participants debated the emerging phenomenon of “ChatGPT style” or “AI-driven literature,” praised the guest speakers’ insight, and expressed anticipation for the emergence of a “Toronto School of AI Literature.”

To mark the occasion, speaker and calligrapher Jin Pang composed and presented a calligraphic inscription for the event:
“As AI sweeps across the globe, it is up to our insight and adaptability to forge new paths.”

World’s First ChatGPT Literature Symposium: Summary and Future Vision

Zhilai Zhang, Chairman of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, delivered the symposium’s concluding remarks and outlined plans for the future. He declared that this symposium marked the first-ever global event focused on ChatGPT-generated literature and had achieved significant outcomes.

He announced several key initiatives:
– Publication of an anthology featuring ChatGPT literary works and research papers submitted by experts and participants
– Establishment of a ChatGPT Literary Research Institute under the Global Alumni Summit to promote the cultural industrialization of artificial intelligence
– Creation of a ChatGPT Literature Group to guide, promote, and popularize AI-driven literary creation, as well as collect and analyze related data
– Partnerships with Chinese tech parks (including Zhongguancun), Canadian universities, cultural institutions, and AI organizations to jointly advance the industrial application of AI-based cultural products

The “ChatGPT Literature Symposium” served as the opening event of the 2nd Global Alumni Summit and Expo 2023, held in Toronto. This year’s summit featured 12 forum series.

The Global Alumni Summit, hosted by the International Investment and Financing Forum Headquarters (WFEChina.com) and the North America Office of City Financial News (csjrw.cn), was established in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic as an international high-level brand platform. Its mission is to foster alumni networks worldwide, promote cultural and technological exchange, build elite alumni social circles, and encourage mutual support—contributing to the global digital economy in the post-pandemic era.

Highlights from Guest Speakers and Commentators (in order of appearance)

Bo Sun (renowned writer and screenwriter, President of Chinese PEN Canada, and Vice President of the Canadian Multicultural Media Alliance) shared his views on the current capabilities of ChatGPT in literary creation, stating that AI-generated literature remains at a preliminary stage.

Through case studies, Sun invited ChatGPT to write an essay titled “A Chance Encounter with My Primary School Teacher from Shanghai in Toronto”, and had six writers independently evaluate the piece. The average score was 73.3, indicating a decent performance. Most writers agreed that the essay was coherent, logically structured, and generally readable. However, some also remarked that it lacked originality, read like formulaic writing, and felt unmistakably machine-generated. The absence of emotionally engaging details and personalized language made it feel generic, relying more on abstract moralizing than authentic experience.

Sun also tasked ChatGPT with mimicking Zhu Ziqing’s classic prose “The Back View of My Father”, prompting it to write a similar piece titled “My Father’s Back”. He scored the result at 60 points, describing it as underwhelming. He emphasized that in prose writing, the essence lies in unique perspectives and genuine emotion—rich, vivid details are the backbone of any compelling essay. Yet, ChatGPT’s version delivered generalized platitudes lacking emotional resonance. He wryly noted that the AI seemed to have consumed too much “chicken soup for the soul” during training, resulting in rigid, templated output that lacks life.

Sun concluded that while ChatGPT’s current literary work lacks soul and sophistication, it is not without value. It can inspire reflection and accelerate the writing process. As ChatGPT itself often says: “AI is here to serve humanity, not replace it.” What AI still lacks—creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving—are precisely the elements that define human intelligence. Literature, being a deeply creative endeavor, will always require human imagination. Therefore, writers need not fear displacement, and literature will not decline.

Ruixiang Sun (Professor of Journalism, Doctor of Literature, Fudan University Class of 1982, former Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tianjin Normal University, and founder of Canada Observer and North America Outlook) delivered a presentation titled “Testing ChatGPT in News Reporting and Analyzing Its Impact.”

He argued that the application of ChatGPT has disrupted traditional concepts in journalism and communication studies, challenging long-held assumptions. While ChatGPT can serve as an auxiliary tool in the news production process—such as sourcing materials, summarizing content, and organizing data—it cannot replace professional journalists.

Sun emphasized that ChatGPT generates content from existing data (“stock information”) rather than new discoveries (“incremental information”), and its journalistic abilities remain immature. It lacks the capability to uncover real news value, and its outputs often suffer from a lack of timeliness and questionable accuracy. Crucially, ChatGPT has no physical presence, originality, or critical thinking, rendering it incapable of performing in-depth reporting, human-interest features, or opinion pieces—genres that demand creativity and context sensitivity.

He warned that over-reliance on AI in journalism could dilute professional standards, leading to content that is formulaic and mediocre. He also pointed out that the way questions are posed to ChatGPT plays a critical role in shaping the output—vague or broad prompts tend to produce unsatisfactory or inaccurate content. In this sense, human-AI interaction design is an emerging discipline.

Sun concluded that our understanding of ChatGPT is still in its infancy, and any definitive judgment is premature. Notably, ChatGPT has yet to pass the Turing Test, and to date, no AI model has successfully done so.

He summarized his perspective with three key takeaways:

Our attitude should be: embrace it actively, approach it cautiously, recognize its limited impact for now, and remain hopeful for its future potential.

ChatGPT equips humanity with lighter wings to navigate a complex world.

The problems posed by man-made ChatGPT must ultimately be solved by humans.

Yan Li, Professor at Renison University College, University of Waterloo, Director of the Centre for Chinese Studies, and a bilingual Chinese-English writer, shared her insights on the topic “The Impact of AI-Generated Literature on University Literature Curricula.”

She noted that in recent months, the University of Waterloo has issued multiple notices advising faculty on how to address student use of AI for coursework. Faculty members have actively shared tools and software that help identify whether students have used AI like ChatGPT to complete assignments.

Li pointed out that due to the nature of ChatGPT’s design—focused more on simulating human linguistic expression and conversational norms rather than delivering precise factual content—its outputs tend to be stylistically neutral, emotionally flat, and lacking in personal voice. Moreover, when objective facts are involved, errors frequently occur. Literature course assignments, in contrast, often require students to engage critically with classic texts and to express their own interpretations from a personal perspective. When teachers suspect AI involvement, the use of institutional verification tools typically confirms the misconduct.

However, the prevalence of AI-generated assignments has prompted Li to reflect more deeply on how we define learning and academic dishonesty. Currently, universities view ChatGPT primarily as a threat to academic integrity. But Li argued that if AI can help students efficiently access a broad range of information, facilitate multidimensional thinking, and inspire them to synthesize their own viewpoints, then this use of technology could be educationally valuable and should not be dismissed outright.

In addition, based on her long-term engagement in bilingual writing and translation, Li emphasized the communication barriers between languages that hinder human understanding. She believes that AI-assisted translation in cultural exchange is highly efficient and holds great promise, meriting further research, refinement, and widespread application.

Jin Pang, writer, member of the China Writers Association, recipient of China’s first Bing Xin Prose Award, senior editor at Xi’an Daily, and holder of a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Shaanxi Normal University and a master’s degree in literature from Northwest University, shared his reflections on the emergence of ChatGPT as a milestone in artificial intelligence and a signal of the dawn of the Intelligence Era.

Pang noted that human society has progressed through four major epochs: hunting and gathering, agriculture, industry, and information. The Intelligence Era represents the fifth stage, building upon the foundation of the Information Age, with artificial intelligence (AI) as its defining force. ChatGPT, with its powerful conversational capabilities, embodies the active presence of AI in everyday life. He emphasized that AI—characterized by its simulation of the human brain, massive data capacity, supercomputing power, deep learning, and wide application—will fundamentally and revolutionarily transform production and lifestyles, leaving a profound impact on human society.

AI will elevate the human-machine relationship as a central issue, evolving literary creation from “sole authorship” to co-authorship between humans and machines. As AI becomes integrated into all sectors and timeframes, it will form what Pang describes as the fifth major relationship—alongside humanity’s relationships with nature, society, the self, and transcendence. This human-machine relationship will primarily be complementary, cooperative, and competitive, but also inherently conflicted, potentially giving rise to challenges such as privacy violations, bias in evaluation, decision-making errors, job displacement, security risks, and ethical controversies.

In the realm of literature, AI will increasingly influence creation through its impact on knowledge, thought, experience, and dissemination. Although current AI-generated literary work remains at a basic to intermediate level, and issues such as copyright remain unresolved, the direction is clear: collaboration between human creativity and machine intelligence is on the rise.

Pang concluded with a powerful call to action:
“As AI sweeps across the world, we must adapt with clarity and wisdom, and forge new creative paths.”
We should embrace the Intelligence Era, adapt to its changes, learn new knowledge, master new skills, pursue new innovations, and live with renewed purpose.

Liming Dong, Co-Chair of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, Vice President of the World Association for Chinese Mass Media, and Editor-in-Chief of Today Canada, with a master’s degree in media from the Hamburg Academy of Fine Arts in Germany, offered the following key commentary:

Mr. Dong reflected on the diverse insights shared by the speakers regarding AI-generated literature, noting that six major topics were addressed. He posed a rhetorical question: Do these topics truly capture the full scope of discussion around AI-generated literary works? To answer, he turned to ChatGPT itself and shared its response:

“Yes, these topics encompass the key areas of discussion related to AI-generated literature. They examine its influence and future development from various perspectives, including creative quality, differences from human-authored works, its impact on journalism and media culture, relevance to university literature curricula, and the evolving relationship between AI and humanity—including its division of labor and influence on human life. These themes provide a broad and meaningful foundation for the continued study and advancement of AI literature.”

Mr. Dong emphasized that collaboration between writers and AI technologists is already underway around the world. For example, Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead worked with computer scientist Nick Montfort to co-create the novel 1 the Road, in which one of the main characters was generated by an AI program. A particularly notable case is the collaboration between renowned Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin and the AI robot Xiaoice on the novel Silent Confession, where Xiaoice provided plot and characters, while Liu shaped the literary style and narrative techniques. These examples signal a growing integration of AI in literary creation.

However, Dong acknowledged that most literary professionals are not familiar with AI technologies, which raises the challenge: How can we bridge the gap between writers and technologists? He proposed three concrete approaches:

1. Promote AI literacy among writers by introducing them to fundamental AI concepts and application scenarios.
2. Establish interdisciplinary collaboration mechanisms to facilitate communication and joint projects between AI engineers and literary professionals.
3. Continue hosting symposiums and training events like this one to enable deeper understanding of each field’s practices, goals, and insights.

In closing, Dong reflected on the broader context of the discussion:

“We gather here today to explore the growing influence and application of AI—especially ChatGPT—in various aspects of social life. While this technology has brought great convenience and fascination, we must recognize that ChatGPT is still in its infancy. It represents only an early stage in the evolution of artificial intelligence. Precisely because we believe in its immense potential, we bring such energy and passion to these discussions and experiments.”

His remarks framed the symposium not just as a conversation about technology, but as a shared effort to shape the cultural future of the AI age.

The symposium was attended by over a hundred participants, including:

Zhilai Zhang, Chairman of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee;
Guangli Wang, Director of the Zhongguancun Science Park Toronto Liaison Office;
Bo Sun, President of Chinese PEN Canada;
Yuanye, President of the Canadian University Literary Society;
Jin Pang, member of the China Writers Association;
Yan Li, Professor at Renison University College, University of Waterloo;
Professor Ruixiang Sun, former Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Tianjin Normal University;
Liming Dong, Co-Chair of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee;
Dawei Yuan, Secretary-General of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee;
Professor Xifeng Feng, Toronto Metropolitan University;
Dr. Xiaoming Guo, McGill University;
Meijun Lin, President of the Chinese Writers Association of South America;
Yuanzong Liu, President of the North University of China Alumni Association of Canada and administrator of the Chinese University Alumni Association Group (Canada);
Xiaoyan Song, President of the Southwest University Alumni Association of Canada;
Shijin Mu, President of the Lanzhou University Alumni Association in Toronto;
Maokun Gong, President of the Chang’an University Alumni Association of Canada;
Lan Yu, President of the Southwest University of Science and Technology Alumni Association of Canada;
Yongping Ju, President of the Tianjin University Alumni Association in Toronto;
Yiqin Wu, President of the Shanghai University Alumni Association of Canada;
Zhijun Zhou, President of the Shaanxi Association of Canada;
Chengzhang Yu and Bingzhang Yu, Presidents of the He Feng Association of Canada;
Xiaoyan Zhang, Chair of the Dongfengcai Art Troupe;

As well as council members of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee: Rong Chen, Yongqiong Wang, Guoyan Huang, and Miaomiao Lü;
Wang Qingchuan and Liu Ping from the Shaanxi Normal University Alumni Association of Canada, among others.

From left to right: Guangli Wang, Jie Yang, Xiwang Zhang, Ruixiang Sun, Bo Sun, Zhilai Zhang, Jin Pang, Liming Dong, Guoyan Huang, Dawei Yuan, Haijun Yang, Rong Chen

This summer conference followed the successful online Global ChatGPT Literature Symposium held in Toronto in March.

Attendees included special guests, speakers, scholars, writers, scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, association leaders, journalists, and representatives from various sectors. Notable participants included Zhilai Zhang (Chairman, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee), Guangli Wang (Director, Beijing Zhongguancun Technology Park Toronto Office), Felix Wong (CMC Markets Canada), Peggy Pan (IIROC-Licensed Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy), Margaret Zhang (Allstate Insurance Canada), Liming Dong (Co-Chair, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee), Bo Sun (President, Chinese PEN Canada), Haijun Yang (President, Canadian University Literary Society), Youzhi Tang (Renowned Environmental Scientist), Jin Pang (President, International Dragon and Phoenix Society; Member, China Writers Association), Ruixiang Sun (Former Dean, School of Journalism and Communication, Tianjin Normal University), Xiwang Zhang (President, North American Cultural Development Association), Yingli Zhang (Director of Finance, Management and Planning, Toronto Metropolitan University), Dawei Yuan (Secretary-General, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee), Liangjian Peng (President, Hunan Chamber of Commerce & Hunan University Alumni Association, Toronto), Zhijun Zhou (President, Shaanxi Association of Canada), Maokun Gong (President, Chang’an University Alumni Association of Canada), Chengzhang Yu (President, Canadian He Feng Association), Rong Chen (Media Director, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee; President, Chongqing Normal University Alumni Association of Canada), Guoyan Huang (Membership Director, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee; Vice President, Qingdao University Alumni Association Toronto), Judy Fu (Executive President, Anhui University Alumni Association of Canada), Sheng Zhang (Vice President, He Feng Association), Jianhong Guan (Secretary-General, He Feng Association), Wei Hua (Chairman, Longbow Angel Fund Canada), Monica Wang (Director of External Relations, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee; International Study & Immigration Advisor, Brock University; Vice President, Southwest University Alumni Association of Canada), Zude Zhao (Renowned Photographer), Pingyuan Geng (General Manager, Meilian Real Estate), Qing Wang (Shaanxi Normal University Alumni Association of Canada), Molly (Representative, Shaanxi Association of Canada), Mary Guan (Dapeng Real Estate), Brian Su, among other registered participants.

The conference was hosted by Jie Yang, Director of Public Relations for the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee and Vice President of the Shaanxi Normal University Alumni Association of Canada.

Jie Yang

Zhilai Zhang

The conference was held in two sessions—morning and afternoon—covering topics such as fintech, artificial intelligence, technology parks, wealth management, property insurance, higher education, international study and immigration, as well as culture and the arts. A highlight of the event was the book launch of The First Global ChatGPT Literature Anthology (2023), accompanied by a meet-and-greet between authors, editors, and readers.

The morning business session took place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., featuring a keynote presentation by Mr. Felix Wong from CMC Markets, a renowned UK-listed financial services company. Mr. Wong introduced the company’s development history, core products, trading platforms, technological innovations, and its global business footprint. His presentation offered attendees a comprehensive understanding of CMC Markets’ strengths and future potential. To better serve clients, the company also announced a set of special promotional offers during the session. Mr. Wong’s professional insights were met with wide acclaim from the audience.

FELIX WONG

The afternoon session of the conference ran from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. After announcing the start of the session, host Jie Yang introduced the conference overview, agenda, attending guests, and all scheduled speakers.

Zhilai Zhang, Chairman of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, delivered the welcome address on behalf of the organizing committee. He expressed his gratitude to the speakers for their thorough preparation and extended a warm welcome to all attendees, wishing them a productive and rewarding experience.

Following this, Guangli Wang, Director of the Beijing Zhongguancun Technology Park Liaison Office in Toronto, also addressed the audience. He congratulated the organizers on the successful opening of the event and gave a detailed introduction to the development of Zhongguancun, its latest advancements, and the most recent policies supporting innovation and entrepreneurship within the park.

Guangli Wang

During several keynote sessions, Peggy Pan, Senior Investment Advisor at CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), delivered a presentation on wealth management. She provided an analysis of the current economic landscape in Canada and globally, as well as projected interest rate trends.

Peggy introduced the CIBC wealth management process, emphasized the importance of strategic financial planning, and identified key demographics that can benefit from such services. As an experienced professional in investment management, she encouraged attendees to plan ahead and take proactive steps to safeguard and grow their hard-earned wealth.

PEGGY　PAN

Margaret Zhang from Allstate Insurance delivered a presentation on property insurance. She noted that Allstate, founded in 1930, is one of Canada’s most established and reputable insurance providers, with a strong focus on auto and home insurance. The company is committed to excellence in service, striving to exceed industry standards by offering what others do not, and doing better what others already provide.

Margaret, a seasoned professional with many years of experience in the insurance industry, emphasized Allstate’s influential role in the market. She is known for delivering tailored advice and personalized solutions based on each client’s unique needs.

MARGARET ZHANG

In the FinTech and Innovation session, Zhilai Zhang—an international expert in financial derivatives, member of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association—explored the interconnection between financial technology, innovation, regulation, and investment return management. He advised investors to prioritize collaboration with firms that offer robust financial products, operate on leading trading platforms, and are supervised by recognized regulatory bodies. Such partnerships, he emphasized, lay a solid foundation for long-term investment returns. He highlighted CMC Markets Canada, a UK-listed financial company, as a current leader in these areas.

Yingli Zhang, Director of Finance, Management, and Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University, and Monica Wang, Director of External Relations at the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee and International Study and Immigration Advisor at Brock University, jointly presented on the state of Canadian higher education. Their session covered the impact of ChatGPT on university teaching, the pressure from external institutions on academic systems, shifting values among today’s youth, and key issues related to employment and immigration after graduation.

Youzhi Tang

YINGLI ZHANG

MONICA WANG

Another highlight of the conference was the book launch and author-editor-reader meet-up for The First Global ChatGPT Literature Anthology. Since the Global Alumni Summit held the world’s first ChatGPT Literature Symposium in March, its expert team has achieved several global firsts, giving rise to what is now known as the “Toronto School of AI Literature.”

During the anthology’s compilation, the team conducted extensive testing, translation, analysis, and research, gathering a wealth of firsthand material. They introduced pioneering ideas such as: “AI will be an essential tool for future writers,” and “AI-powered human–machine collaboration may lead to fairer Nobel Prize outcomes in literature, significantly increasing the chances for Chinese writers to win.” These insights brought fresh perspectives and great encouragement to the attendees.

Front row from left to right: Ruixiang Sun, Jin Pang, Bo Sun, Guangli Wang
Back row, first from left: Yingli Zhang, Monica Wang

Bo Sun

Jin Pang

Ruixiang Sun

Liming Dong, Jie Yang

According to the organizers, the editorial team for the world’s first human-AI collaborative publication in the history of Chinese-English literary publishing, The First Global ChatGPT Literature Anthology, includes:
Editor-in-Chief: Zhilai Zhang
Editorial Committee: Jie Yang, Guoyan Huang, Rong Chen, Dawei Yuan
Advisory Committee: Bo Sun, Jin Pang, Ruixiang Sun, Liming Dong, Xiwang Zhang, Guangli Wang, Haijun Yang

In the session on science, technology, and cultural topics, keynote speeches were delivered by renowned scientist Dr. Youzhi Tang and distinguished scholar Mr. Xiwang Zhang. Dr. Tang offered his views on current international hot topics and the latest developments in Canada–China technology cooperation. Mr. Zhang presented several cultural exchange projects he has led in recent years between China and North America.

Xiwang Zhang

Following a series of focused speeches and discussions, all scheduled topics were successfully concluded by 3:30 p.m.
Participants expressed that they would carefully review and follow up on the topics of interest, collaborate with speakers and relevant organizations, and aim to announce their implementation outcomes in the near future.

Dawei Yuan

Guoyan Huang

Rong Chen

Dezu Zhao

Maokun Gong

Qing Wang

From left to right: Zhijun Zhou, Zhilai Zhang, Caiqin Mao, Joyce Zhang

From left to right: Liming Dong, David Yuan, Guoyan Huang, Monica Wang, Rong Chen, Jie Yang, Zhilai Zhang

On August 31, the August 2024 forum series of the 3rd Global Alumni Summit concluded successfully at the Holiday Inn in Richmond Hill, Toronto.
Jointly organized by the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, the Beijing Zhongguancun Technology Park Toronto Office, and the North America Office of City Financial News, the event marked the final chapter of this year’s summer summit series—bringing it to a perfect close.

The day featured four key themes: electric vehicles, AI and cultural education, fintech, and investment & financing services.

In light of the evolving global economic landscape and shifting policy environments, the forums were highly praised by attendees for their relevance and strategic value.

At the forum, Mr. Guangli Wang, Director of the Beijing Zhongguancun Technology Park Toronto Office, presented an overview of the park’s development, service functions, talent advantages, and key achievements.
He also provided insights into relevant government policies and highlighted the success of Toronto participants in Zhongguancun’s technology competitions. His remarks were well received by the audience.

Dr. Youzhi Tang, a renowned expert in environmental and new energy, delivered a detailed presentation at the Electric Vehicle Forum on the global development of new energy, recent trends, and the evolution of the EV industry.
He reviewed policies across regions including Europe, North America, China, and the Middle East, and analyzed their impact on the sector. Dr. Tang voiced his support for Canadian enterprises developing their own EV brands and offered insights into the practical challenges they face.

Paul Pu, a leading expert in artificial intelligence and education and founder of The Erindale Academy, shared his team’s research, practical experience, and achievements in the application of AI in education during the AI and Cultural Education Forum.
He presented real-world cases of AI integration at his institution and showcased AI-driven products developed by his team, which drew strong interest from attendees.

Zhilai Zhang, Chairman of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee and a seasoned expert in international financial derivatives, as well as a member of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association (NFA), spoke during the FinTech session.
He discussed innovations in financial products and fintech, shared recent industry developments and applications, and emphasized the importance of government regulation. Zhang urged industries to rapidly integrate digital technologies and AI into their sectors, applying mature technologies in practice while driving continuous innovation to support business expansion and franchising. His insights were well received and appreciated by the audience.

Adele Liu, President of Info Consulting & Project Management, spoke during the Investment and Financing session, addressing topics such as commercial and industrial financing, government-backed loans, business plans, project management, and lending risks.
Given the current high-interest, high-inflation business environment, her insights drew significant attention, with many attendees actively engaging in Q&A. Due to time constraints, several participants continued the discussion during the networking session afterward.

Zhan Xu, President of the Nanchang University Alumni Association of Canada

At the forum, Zhan Xu, President of the Nanchang University Alumni Association of Canada, introduced and recommended the Alemant Technology Project. Monica Wang from Brock University shared insights on recent changes in Canada’s immigration and work visa policies, and how these developments are impacting various educational institutions and international students from different countries seeking to study in Canada.

The forum concluded with a graceful recitation of the poem “Summer in Toronto”, written by author Pang Jin and recited by journalist Ms. Rong Chen. The heartfelt performance was met with warm applause from the audience.

The forum series was chaired by Mr. Liming Dong, Co-Chair of the Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, with opening remarks delivered by Mr. Zhilai Zhang, Chairman of the Committee.

The event received strong media support from a wide range of outlets, including Omni TV, City Financial News, Today Canada, Chinese Headline News, North America Outlook, North America Voice, Chinese Hotspot, Maple Media, Easy Media, China News Network, Sing Sing Life, North America Finance, and Voice of Canada.

According to the organizing committee, the featured projects from this forum—covering electric vehicles, AI and cultural education, and fintech—will be promoted in China during the upcoming Silk Road International Expo in Xi’an this September. These initiatives aim to facilitate cross-border engagement, enabling roadshows and exchanges with Chinese counterparts, and strengthening Canada–China cooperation in trade, technology, and innovation.

On July 24, 2022, the first Global Alumni Summit and Expo was successfully held at the Hilton Conference Center in Markham, Toronto, Canada. Jointly hosted by the Campus Committee of the World Financial Exchange (WFE China) and the North America Office of City Financial News (CSJRW.CN), the summit was co-organized by the Canada-China Economic and Trade Association, Canada-China Enterprise Capital Alliance, WeYou Club, and several Canadian alumni associations of Chinese universities.

Over 8,000 participants from around the world joined the event both online and offline, including experts, scholars, alumni leaders, and professionals from various sectors. A series of online forums had already taken place since May 27, such as the International Financial Forum, Wealth Management Forum, and Real Estate Finance Forum, attracting wide attention from global audiences.

This event marked the first time the Global Alumni Summit adopted a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual participation. Key sessions included thematic forums on Chinese culture, international technology, education, media, and post-pandemic economic strategy, with speakers from leading institutions and enterprises across Canada and China.

The summit also announced several strategic initiatives, such as launching centers for international finance training, wealth management research, overseas education, and new media collaboration. The entire event was livestreamed exclusively by KanKan Technology, and received widespread media coverage and corporate sponsorship support.

The organizing committee extended sincere thanks to all attendees, partners, and supporters, and looks forward to the next reunion of the global alumni network.

Toronto, CNS — Reported by Ruixiang Sun
The 4th Global Alumni Summit 2025 officially launched its forum series, with the opening event titled “2025 Global Brand Strategy & International Expansion Trends and Frontier Technology Forum” scheduled for March 22 at the Holiday Inn in Richmond Hill, Toronto.

The event is hosted by the Canada-China Technology Alliance, Global Alumni Summit Canada Committee, Canadian Clean Energy and Storage Association, and the North America Office of City Financial News, with co-hosts including the Canada-China Economic and Trade Association, Toronto Tianjin Chamber of Commerce, Canada-China Enterprise Capital Alliance, Shaanxi General Chamber of Commerce of Canada, and the Anhui International Chamber of Commerce.

The event has received support from government agencies and business leaders in Canada, China, and Singapore. Liu Linlin, Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, will deliver a keynote address. Institutions such as Singapore Enterprise Singapore’s Market Readiness Assistance Program and the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau have expressed support and will co-host future forums in Singapore and China focusing on global expansion and technological innovation.

Amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological change, and increasing trade protectionism, this forum will explore pressing issues affecting global business, economic development, and supply chains—and seek actionable solutions.

The event consists of two main parts. The first features keynote speeches under the theme of global brand strategy and frontier tech innovation. Topics include:

• Opportunities and challenges for Chinese private enterprises expanding abroad
• Contract R&D services and international innovation
• Breakthrough technologies
• New economy and energy transition
• E-commerce industrial park development
• Overseas capital markets

Featured speakers include renowned experts such as Dr. Youzhi Tang, Dr. Lian Guan, tech entrepreneur Xudong Qin, and business leader Huaiyu Xu, with commentary from international derivatives expert and financier Zhilai Zhang.

The second part of the event will be a press conference, during which select experts and project leaders from the summit’s organizing committee will introduce and promote key initiatives planned for the Fall 2025 Global Alumni Summit. Featured programs include:

1. China Time-Honored Brands International Cultural Festival & Global Brand Strategy Forum
2. Introduction to the E-Commerce Americas Industrial Park
3. Global Alumni Writers Forum
4. The 3rd Global AI Literature Symposium 2025
5. “My University” Global Alumni Essay Campaign
6. Overseas Capital Markets & Global Expansion Strategy Forum

The final segment of the event will be dedicated to a Q&A session and networking reception. The full event is expected to last a little over two hours.

Event Details
📅 Date: March 22, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Toronto – Markham
10 East Pearce Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 0A8

Advance registration is required.
Alumni and guests from all sectors are warmly invited to scan the code and register to attend.

(Organizing Committee of the Global Alumni Summit)