The term “digital intelligent economy” describes a knowledge economy that uses artificial intelligence (AI) as its main production tool. Unlike the early digital economy, which relied on data, the digital intelligent economy transforms cultural and creative production processes, dissemination methods, and cultural impact. It integrates deeply with the cultural and creative industry chain, leading to significant changes in development models. "Smart cultural and creative production" is a further step in the digitalization of these industries. Currently, both domestic and international academic and industry circles are focused on integrating, exploring, and transforming cultural and creative resources through the digital intelligent economy. This involves optimizing business models and commercial structures to promote high-quality development in intelligent cultural and creative industries.
On May 11, 2024, the "Digital Intelligence Economy: The Driving Force of Development in the Era of Smart Cultural and Creative " Youth Space Workshop was held by the USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI). Nine young scholars from prestigious global universities participated in interdisciplinary discussions on the intelligent development of cultural and creative industries. Topics covered ranged from micro-level practices like communication effects and creative processes to macro-level issues such as regulatory governance and economic development.
The workshop began with an opening speech by Dean Weimin ZHANG of ICCI. Professor Zhang highlighted ICCI's dedication to research and teaching in the digitalization of cultural and creative industries since its establishment. As one of the first to offer a master's degree in digital cultural and creative management, ICCI aims to leverage young scholars' strengths to advance academic research and industry development. The Youth Space Workshop focused on the digital intelligent economy, exploring key issues in the cultural and creative field through interdisciplinary dialogue.
Weimin ZHANG is Delivering a Speech
Professor Ke XUE, Associate Dean of ICCI, emphasized in her speech the workshop's goal to "break conventions and create the future." Since its inception in 2021, the Youth Space Workshop has guided innovative academic thinking and engaged young scholars in key interests. It has become an interdisciplinary frontier with cutting-edge discussions, novel formats, and interactive participation. Over four years, the workshop has built a new academic community, promoting research and practical applications. It provides a platform for innovative exchanges, highlighting China's modernization and fostering creative interactions among young scholars in cultural and creative industries.
Professor Ke XUE is Delivering a Speech
The Group Photo of Workshop Participants
Focusing on Micro-Practices: Applications of Digital Intelligence in Cultural and Creative Industries
Generative artificial intelligence is revolutionizing workflows in cultural and creative industries. Researchers explored this through empirical research, showcasing application scenarios and effects of intelligent technology. Bei YAN, an assistant professor fromSchool of Business of Stevens Institute of Technology, focused on AI-assisted team decision-making in online meetings, analyzing its performance and providing application recommendations for social robots in team decisions. Emma Duester, an associate professor from ICCI, used AI intervention in artistic creation as an example, exploring visual artists' perceptions of AI and elaborating on policy implications. Hu MENG, an associate researcher from Sichuan University, discussed the impact of perceived escapism on tourist experiences and digital exhibition participation through empirical research on Sanxingdui, embedding digital intelligent cultural creations into social and cultural contexts. Donghe ZHENG, an associate professor from Central China Normal University, focused on young people's engagement with AI-generated content (AIGC) in art and design, discussing pathways influencing their willingness to purchase AI art collections. Dr. Yifang WU from the University of Macau analyzed the communication effects of traditional clothing through short videos as a digital dissemination path, proposing application strategies based on her findings.
Policy Governance Approaches: Regulatory Innovations in the Digital Economy
Aligned with empirical research findings, the use of intelligent technologies in cultural and creative industries requires effective policy governance. Participants used interdisciplinary thinking to explore enhancing policy guidance for intelligent cultural and creative practices in the digital intelligent economy. Dr. Yao LU from Renmin University Law School discussed legal and governance issues related to AI training data, focusing on security and legality. She proposed industry organizations adopt a coordinated approach to governance, combining "hard law" and "soft law" through self-regulation, technological ethics, and credit evaluation to promote AI development and security. Dr. Cheng XU, a postdoctoral fellow at Tsinghua University's School of Public Administration, conducted a quantitative analysis of China's new AI policy texts, suggesting optimizing policy tools to lead future trends in the digital economy's development.
Exploring Cultural Transformation: The New Productivity of Smart Cultural Creation
The digital intelligent economy has profoundly and innovatively transformed various sectors. Scholars must conduct forward-looking research to effectively guide social practices and discipline development. Dr. Tianfu WANG from Peking University, has initiated research into the transformation of journalism and communication disciplines in the digital age. He places smart cultural creation research within application domains that support economic and social development, advocating for artificial intelligence as a key driver, particularly in international communication. This research focuses on the effects and governance challenges in the digital marketing communication field. Dr. Si CHEN from the Communication University of China analyzes the key trends in new quality productivity to enhance the high-quality development of the cultural industry. His goal is to support the cultural industry's advancement in the digital era of increasing artificial intelligence, using rational thinking and scientific judgment.
During the academic exchange session, participants of this workshop and forum, including Professor Geoffrey Alan Rhodes from ICCI, Dr. Tianfu WANG from Peking University, Professor Jinzhang JIANG from ICCI, Professor Xiaojun TAO, and Assistant Professor Bei YAN from Stevens Institute of Technology School of Business, appreciated the depth and breadth of the discussion on "Youth Space". They provided insights into the application scenarios, business models, and cultural implications of smart technologies in the cultural and creative industries.
Workshop Sharing and Exchange
The Youth Space Workshop addresses the current development of the digital economy at micro, meso, and macro levels. Focused on the cultural and creative industries, it explores the dynamics of new quality productivity. The workshop uses interdisciplinary research perspectives and methods to foster creative energy through intellectual collisions, staying abreast of contemporary trends. This approach enables a more rational examination of social development and era changes influenced by intelligent communication technologies, capturing the attention and support of many young scholars.
During the event break, guests visited the ICCI. They explored the CG Creative and Technology Lab, Advanced Technology Research Center for Intelligent Film and Television, Intelligent Music and Film Sound Lab, All-Media Post-Production Center for Film and Television, 4D Film Art and Technology Lab, and Virtual Reality Innovation and Education Lab. They also observed how these emerging technologies are integrated into the teaching process for students in the cultural and creative fields, including through instructional design and student work displays.
The Youth Space Workshop has created a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, facilitating academic collisions of new ideas, viewpoints, and technologies. It emphasizes the integration of industry, academia, and research, exploring technological and artistic innovation, showcasing cutting-edge practices, and leading the latest trends in cultural and creative practices. The workshop integrates diverse cultural and creative educational practices and research concepts, providing insights and recommendations for the future development of the cultural and creative fields, and promoting a sustainable interdisciplinary research paradigm.