Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant transformation of China's technology landscape over the past 25 years, exemplified by Zhang Yaqin's career journey from Microsoft to Baidu and now leading Tsinghua University's AI research institute, showcasing China's rise in AI and technology innovation compared to the US [1][2][5]. Group 1: Zhang Yaqin's Career and Contributions - Zhang Yaqin's career reflects the evolution of China's tech industry, transitioning from a time when local talent was scarce to a period where Chinese researchers excel globally [5][9]. - In 1999, Zhang returned to China to establish Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA), which quickly became a leading research institution, publishing over 80 papers and registering 40 patents in its first year [29][31]. - By 2006, MSRA was recognized as "the hottest lab in the world," with a high technology transfer rate, influencing both Microsoft and the broader tech landscape [31][34]. Group 2: The Rise of Chinese AI and Technology - In late 2022, it was reported that Chinese universities surpassed Harvard and other top institutions in AI patent filings, indicating a significant shift in global tech leadership [2][8]. - The article notes that the number of internet users in China reached 1.1 billion, making it the second-largest globally, and the country has produced a vast number of IT graduates, significantly outpacing the US [32][34]. - The growth of Chinese tech companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu has been remarkable, with Baidu's stock experiencing a 354% increase on its first trading day, setting a record for foreign companies in the US [32][36]. Group 3: Challenges and Future Directions - Zhang Yaqin expresses concern over the deteriorating US-China relations, viewing it as a setback for global collaboration in technology [6][9]. - He emphasizes the importance of AI safety and governance, advocating for international cooperation to address the risks associated with AI advancements [22][46]. - The Tsinghua University AI Research Institute aims to produce open-source research and foster innovation, with a focus on practical applications in various industries, including smart transportation and healthcare [44][45].

经济观察报 记者 任晓宁 编者按：2025年，经济观察报以"我们的四分之一世纪"为年终特刊主题，旨在通过数十位时代亲历者的故事，共绘一幅属于这段岁月的集体记忆图谱。 （数据服务公司LexisNexis制作的图 11月底，张亚勤的女儿在家庭微信群里发了一张图，惊讶地说，清华的AI科研已经比哈佛厉害了。张亚勤仔细看了一下图片，回复女儿：不是比哈佛厉 害，是比哈佛在内的6所大学加起来都厉害。 这6所大学包括：哈佛、麻省理工、斯坦福、普林斯顿、加州大学、加州理工学院。彭博社于11月底报道了这一现象，报道标题为《中国高校在AI专利竞争 中击败了哈佛和麻省理工》。 这是张亚勤25年前无法想象的事情。 1999年，他从美国回到中国，与李开复等共同创立微软中国研究院（后升级为微软亚洲研究院Microsoft Research Asia，下称"MSRA"），招到的中国本土科 研人员和从美国归国的科研人员水平差距非常大。当时中国顶尖人才大多流向海外，极少愿意回国。而现在，中国培养的人才在全球范围内毫不逊色。 作为横跨互联网、移动互联网和人工智能时代的亲历者，张亚勤的职业生涯——从微软全球资深副总裁到百度总裁，再到执掌清华大学智能 ...