On April 18–19, 2025, the "SJTU-IAMCR Emerging Media and Joint Forum of Four Universities" commenced at the Minhang Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The forum was co-hosted by the School of Media and Communication at SJTU and the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR).

Centering on the theme "Intelligent Transformation and Communication Innovation," the forum explored the pivotal role of intelligent media in addressing global challenges, aiming to foster academic exchange between the East and the West and advance the diversified development of intelligent communication research.

Distinguished attendees included:

·       Nico Carpentier, former IAMCR President and Chair Professor at Charles University, Czech Republic;

·       Weiyu Zhang, Chair of the IAMCR Communication Policy & Technology Section and Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS);

·       Changfeng Chen, IAMCR International Council Member and Professor at Tsinghua University's School of Journalism and Communication;

·       Linchuan Qiu, Dean of the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore;

·       Taofu Zhang, Dean of the School of Journalism at Fudan University;

·       Ran Wei, Associate Dean of the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU);

·       Long Chen, Executive Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Soochow University;

·       Junde Li, Director of the Institute of Communication Studies at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU);

·       Zhaoguo Zhang, Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University;

·       Dayin Peng, Party Secretary of the SJTU School of Media and Communication;

·       Jian Xu, Executive Vice Dean (acting Dean); and Yi Mou, Vice Dean.

Over a hundred faculty members and students from Tsinghua University, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Communication University of China, the University of Hong Kong, HKBU, and NYCU also participated. The opening ceremony was chaired by Yi Mou.

Zhaoguo Zhang, representing SJTU, delivered a welcome address, extending a warm reception to scholars, experts, and students. He emphasized SJTU's strong commitment to media and communication disciplines, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of innovative "smart humanities" initiatives. He noted that IAMCR's global vision and academic inclusivity align closely with SJTU's values, and this forum holds strategic significance for advancing intelligent communication research and international cooperation. He expressed hope that the event would serve as a platform for East-West scholarly exchange and contribute "SJTU's wisdom" to the evolution of communication studies.

Daya Thussu, current IAMCR President, delivered a video speech, commending the forum's forward-looking theme. He highlighted AI's transformative impact on the global information landscape while cautioning against over-reliance on technology. Emphasizing the dual nature of intelligent communication, he urged the international academic community to maintain critical thinking and "examine technology within its historical and social contexts."

The opening ceremony featured the launch of a strategic partnership among Hong Kong Baptist University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, the National University of Singapore, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, marking a new phase of in-depth collaboration in intelligent communication research within Chinese academia.

Weiyu Zhang, representing the Joint Forum of Four Universities, elaborated on its vision of academic community-building. Reflecting on NYCU's inaugural conference in 2024, she emphasized the forum's departure from traditional academic competition, advocating for "open sharing and boundaryless collaboration" to address global challenges such as intelligent technology development and cultural conflicts.

The keynote session was co-chaired by Liangwen Kuo, Distinguished Professor at SJTU's School of Media and Communication and IAMCR Ambassador for China, and Linchuan Qiu. Presentations were delivered by Nico Carpentier, Taofu Zhang, Long Chen, Ran Wei, and Jian Xu. Additionally, Yan Sui, President of the Chinese Association for History of Journalism and Communication and Dean of the School of Journalism at Communication University of China, and Hongjun Zhu, Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Executive Editor of Journalism & Communication Research, delivered speeches online.

The forum featured 25 parallel sessions, including the "SJTU-IAMCR Emerging Media Forum" (e.g., "Journalism Innovation and Practice in the Intelligent Era") and the "Joint Forum of Four Universities" (e.g., "Digital Media in Family Relationships").

Closing Ceremony was chaired by Liangwen Kuo, and the closing remarks were delivered by Changfeng Chen, Junde Li, Weiyu Zhang, Ran Wei, and Linchuan Qiu.

Spanning two days, the forum provided a platform for cutting-edge insights and in-depth discussions, offering valuable references for media practice and academic research in the era of intelligent communication. It is poised to contribute to a more promising future for the field.