Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the growing importance of statistics in the era of artificial intelligence, highlighting its applications across various fields such as business, medicine, engineering, and social sciences, while also addressing the challenges faced by AI technologies [1][2]. Group 1: Importance of Statistics - Statistics is not only used for government purposes but is also crucial in commercial, medical, engineering, and social science applications, focusing on data collection, analysis, and inference [1]. - The third National Conference on Statistics and Data Science featured over 600 academic reports, with nearly 25% related to machine learning and artificial intelligence [1]. Group 2: Challenges in AI - The "2024 Artificial Intelligence Development Report" by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology identifies challenges such as insufficient interpretability of algorithms, security vulnerabilities, and irregular data labeling in AI [1]. - Current AI applications tend to prioritize algorithm functionality over understanding underlying mechanisms, particularly in high-stakes fields like medicine and construction, where stability and reliability are critical [1]. Group 3: Talent Development in Statistics - There is a growing emphasis on the cultivation of statistical talent in academia, as the demand for professionals in statistics and data science exceeds supply [2]. - The need for educational institutions to enhance their training capabilities is highlighted, aiming to produce more statisticians and data analysts while encouraging some to remain in academia [2]. Group 4: International Collaboration and Growth - Since the establishment of statistics as a primary discipline in 2011, there has been rapid development in statistical research in China, with Chinese authors now accounting for the second-largest share of publications in top international statistical journals [2]. - The conference attracted over 1,800 scholars, with 15% from abroad, indicating a growing international collaboration in the field [2].