A forum focusing on artificial intelligence, sustainability and global leadership was held in Shanghai on Tuesday, bringing together experts, business leaders and academics from China and the United Kingdom.

The event, cohosted by the University of Warwick and the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, aimed to create a platform that demonstrates how businesses and academic institutions from both nations are working together to shape a more sustainable, AI-enabled future.

"AI and sustainability have become fundamental questions of competitiveness, opportunity and resilience for every organization," said Caroline Meyer, provost of the University of Warwick.

"Today's event represents a deeper shared belief that when universities and businesses collaborate, we can unlock progress at a scale and at pace."

Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that China's scale, speed and capacity for innovation have positioned it on the front line of the global sustainability transition. Collaborations between the University of Warwick and leading Chinese institutions, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University, illustrate how joint research is generating insights with far-reaching global impact.

Scholars from the University of Warwick and Fudan University led discussions highlighting how AI's role has evolved to redesign entire systems for sustainability. Panelists illustrated how AI is currently enabling breakthroughs across multiple fields, including accelerating the discovery of low-carbon materials, enhancing climate resilience predictions, and developing smarter energy networks.

Gu Sai, deputy pro-vice-chancellor (East and Southeast Asia) of University of Warwick, argued that AI's ability to reduce the time and cost associated with materials discovery could unlock breakthroughs essential for the transition to cleaner energy and sustainable manufacturing.

Austin Winters, president of choreograph China and president of WPP Tech China, delivered a keynote speech on AI's transformation of brand marketing models, describing how WPP's AI-powered marketing platform combines data, technology, and creativity to operate with greater intelligence and scale.

He also discussed how leadership and talent are evolving in the AI era, including the shift from traditional specialist structures toward more integrated, diamond-shaped organizations that bring together creativity, data and technology capabilities.