Beijing Academy Students Explore AI with Cambridge Professor Girolami

Beijing Academy and KingLead's Global Academician Public Welfare Innovation Talents Workshop concluded on January 30, 2026. Professor Girolami, Chair Professor of Engineering at Cambridge and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, came to campus to guide students from across China. Over six days, they explored advanced AI topics and developed ways of thinking about research and innovation.







On the first day, Professor Girolami began with a fundamental research question: "What exactly is data, and what kinds of data are there?"



The question prompted students to raise their hands and offer examples from everyday life and study, as well as research. Professor Girolami listened carefully, acknowledged their ideas and added guidance. The relaxed conversation helped students feel comfortable and introduced the academic content that followed. It established an approach connecting theory with practice and inquiry with innovation.

Across six days of lectures, Professor Girolami used accessible explanations and concrete examples to introduce abstract AI theories. Students gradually developed a deeper understanding of the field.





Under the theme The First Lesson of Artificial Intelligence, the program introduced core machine learning concepts. Topics ranged from the nature of data and linear modeling to classification algorithms and digital twins. The course combined academic depth with explanations suited to young learners, encouraging students to investigate AI through research. Students selected their own project topics and worked together, then presented their findings in groups. Professor Girolami offered feedback and guidance, and participants received completion certificates.

Beijing Academy also offered varied experiences of campus culture. Daily classes in the Humanities and Economics, STEAM and Global History broadened perspectives beyond research. The Interest Island College Counseling activity helped students explore themselves and consider future directions. On campus tours and in Student Club activities, older student volunteers described the curriculum and shared their development. These experiences introduced the school's commitment to helping students develop as people and discover their individuality. Open-mic performances and other arts activities added enjoyment and a sense of belonging.









Over six days, students developed their curiosity into deeper inquiry. Working with a leading scholar and experiencing an attentive, student-focused learning environment gave them knowledge and encouragement. We look forward to their continued exploration and innovation.

Student Reflections

01 Aurelia

Good morning, esteemed teachers, dear classmates, and friends. I'm Aurelia. Standing here today, I feel both honored and thoughtful. Over the past few days, this AI camp has been more than just an educational experience—it has been a transformative journey.

When I first entered this camp, I thought I understood AI, since we interact with it in everyday life through Deep Seek, recommendations, and smart assistants. But here, we didn't just use AI; we explored its inner workings.

One of the greatest benefits of this camp was experiencing university-style learning. Instead of just memorizing facts, we tackled foundational questions: How does a machine learn? What does "intelligence" mean in the context of artificial intelligence? We dissected algorithms like detectives, following the logic step by step. I discovered that AI isn't magic—it's a blend of math, design, and human intention.

However, this journey was not without its challenges. The real test wasn't coding or theory—it was learning to think from perspective with AI. We had to shift from being users to explorers. Instead of asking, "What can it do for me?" we asked, "How does it achieve what it does?" This shift in mindset—from passive to active, from consumer to creator—was the most difficult yet rewarding leap to make.

In addition to the AI labs, what truly made the experience at Beijing Academy valuable was the diverse courses that encouraged our growth in various dimensions. In the Humanity class, we didn't just discuss concepts, we passionately debated them. We actively articulated our viewpoints, leading to a collision of ideas. The most unforgettable moment came in our STEM class. Armed with only simple wooden sticks, we were tasked with building a bridge. With no high-tech tools or advanced materials, we relied solely on creativity and teamwork. That bridge was not just constructed from wood, it embodied collective intelligence, resilience, and trust.

In this camp, I gained new knowledge and experiences by sitting with students from different schools, grades, and backgrounds. We learned from each other, collaborated, and created our own works. We were able to meet and learn together thanks to the opportunity provided by Beijing Academy. Therefore, we would like to extend our gratitude to Beijing Academy, to the Cambridge academician Professor Girolami, who shared his knowledge, to the dedicated assistants from KingLead, and to all the teachers whose guidance made this experience possible.

02 Andy

Hello everyone! My name is Andy, and I am going to have short talk about what I have enjoyed during my time at this Winter Camp.

First, I especially liked the professor's lectures, because it expanded my knowledge about algorithms. At the beginning, the professor explained what AI is and that it came from neural networks. Then, we studied the different methods of learning for an algorithm, dividing them into supervised learning and unsupervised learning. The course focused on supervised learning, including regression, classification, etc. While learning linear regression, I was perplexed by the maths section, and I understood few of the symbols and functions. But later on on, Mr. Girolami's explanations helped me understand better, and I was able to make my own models. In the end, we made our presentation before the class. I had understanding of the fundamental logic of artificial intelligence, and the course taught me more about learning and working with others.

Second, I enjoyed the Featured Courses of Beijing Academy. The course that I liked the most was Economics. What interests me is that the teacher told us that economics has nothing to do with hoarding money, but it has more connections with the process of distributing resources, contradicting with the common interpretation. The other courses also introduced interesting topics, including explaining definition of the word "Fair" in Social Science, how to make a stable structure in STEM, and the different types of currency used in history in World History.

Finally, the school conditions were also pleasing. The library looked nice and the food at the cafeteria really opened up my appetite.

In conclusion, I had a really good time this week at Beijing Academy. Everything from the lectures to the featured courses, and even the food at the cafeteria brought new experiences into my view. I feel grateful for having this unforgettable experience with all of you. Thank you very much!