Children try 3D-printing pens at a robot fair in Longhui, Hunan province, May 6. [Photo by Zeng Yong/Xinhua]

Statistics show that China is now facing a gap of 5 million AI professionals, and in Jiangsu, especially in Nanjing, the demand is huge. The various high-tech companies located in the local economic and development zone, such as the JD Data Research Institute, are typical examples. 

"Professionals are the key point in AI development," said Zhou Zhihua, a professor at Nanjing University. 

He was acutely aware of the need to cultivate AI students in an interdisciplinary way, which not only stresses consolidating their foundations in mathematics, computer engineering and analysis modeling, but also tests their perceptions in cognitive science, brain science, neuroscience and psychology. 

This has led to the setting of high requirements in the planning and preparation of AI courses, the first and most important step in talent training. Though the education systems are rudimentary compared with those at US universities, these emerging schools will be sure to set positive patterns for Jiangsu's AI educational development.