2026 SHE Forum explores women's leadership, resilience in the age of AI

Established in Shanghai in 2018, the World Laureates Forumis an annual high-level international scientific conference that was created for the purpose of bringing together top global intellects in order to explore the cutting-edge of science and technology, sustainable development, and international cooperation in these areas. This year's iteration ran from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 and featured the 2026 SHE Forum–one of its four main thematic events–on the afternoon of Oct. 31. Held at the World Laureates Forum Permanent Venue in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area and exploring the theme "The Next Decade: Women's Leadership in Science and a Resilient Future in the Age of AI–Flourish, Break Barriers, and Thrive Together," the SHE Forum brought together women in science and technology from China and around the world with the goal of drawing inspiration from the achievements of women scientists in China and abroad, encouraging more women to pursue scientific excellence, and strengthening their leadership in science and technology.

Breaking the boundaries of knowledge, reaching new heights in science

Daniela Rhodes, co-chair of the 2026 World Laureates Forum and recipient of the 2023 World Laureates Foundation Prize in Life Science or Medicine, moderates the opening ceremony of the 2026 SHE Forum, which was held on Oct. 31.

Xiang Qiao, co-chair of the 2026 World Laureates Forum, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, vice president of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and president of the China Women's Association for Science and Technology (CWAST), delivers opening remarks at the 2026 SHE Forum.

Xiang Qiao, co-chair of the 2026 World Laureates Forum, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, vice president of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and president of the China Women's Association for Science and Technology (CWAST), noted that science and technology enable humanity to shape a shared future, push the boundaries of knowledge, and explore the unknown together in opening remarks that she delivered. She emphasized that supporting the development of women in science and technology and advancing their full participation in these areas must be a collective mission of the scientific community on top of a responsibility collectively borne by women themselves.

Xiang added that the SHE Forum demonstrates a shared concern for strengthening the role of women in science and technology, shaping future models of scientific and technological innovation, fostering open collaboration, and promoting global sustainable development in addition to providing a venue to reflect on the broader trend of scientific and technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Cao Xiaofeng, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), executive vice president of the CWAST, and researcher at the CAS Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, moderates the keynote speech and presentation segment of the 2026 SHE Forum.

Ingrid Daubechies, recipient of the 2026 World Laureates Foundation Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics, delivers a keynote presentation titled "Reminiscences from a Still-Ongoing Mathematical Career with Interdisciplinary Impact" at the 2026 SHE Forum.

Ingrid Daubechies, recipient of the 2026 World Laureates Foundation Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics, explored how mathematics can reveal the underlying structures of complex biological datain a keynote presentation titled "Reminiscences from a Still-Ongoing Mathematical Career with Interdisciplinary Impact." She provided examples that helped illustrate how interdisciplinary research can bring new vitality to fundamental mathematics and demonstrate its potential to address real-world problems. Daubechies noted that mathematics can be applied in almost any field and that ideas for new mathematical approaches can, in turn, come from just about anywhere.

Sun Lili, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, executive vice president of the CWAST, and chief scientist at the China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), delivers a keynote presentation titled "From Scientific Discovery to Engineering Innovation: A Journey in Cross-Disciplinary Integration and System Optimization" at the 2026 SHE Forum.

Sun Lili, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, executive vice president of CWAST, and chief scientist at China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), shared research and development experience from across the aromatics industry value chain in the keynote presentation that she gave, illustrating how engineering innovation brings together different disciplines as discoveries move from the laboratory to technical design and, ultimately, industrial application. She expressed the view that scientists should align their research with national priorities and translate discoveries and inventions into new quality productive forces in the AI era. Sun also called for greater support for the development of scientific talent and encouraged women scientists to let their creativity and innovation shine.

Elena Kudravtseva, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Office of Youth and Women senior program officer (women), delivers a keynote presentation titled "Empowering Youth and Women in Agrifood Systems–Closing the Gender Gap in Agrifood Science, Technology and Innovation" at the 2026 SHE Forum.

Elena Kudravtseva, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Office of Youth and Women(OYW) senior program officer (women), stated in her keynote presentation that young women are not merely technology users–they are already innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and leaders. She emphasized that more than just access to education and technological advancesis required in order to close the gender gap that exists in agricultural science and innovation–this goal demands breaking down social barriers and providing skills training, financial support, and clear pathways for leadership advancement.

Defining resilience, providing inspiration with role models

Han Xiqiu, vice president of the CWAST and research professor at the Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources(MNR), moderates a segment involving the recollection of personal experiences pertaining to perseverance and tenacity known as "Resilience: Her Stories" at the 2026 SHE Forum.

Karolin Luger, 2023 World Laureates Foundation Prize laureate in Life Science or Medicine, delivers a speech titled Resilience in Science: Why Is It Essential and How Do You Learn It?" during the "Resilience: Her Stories" segment of the 2026 SHE Forum.

Karolin Luger, a 2023 World Laureates Foundation Prize laureate in Life Science or Medicine, expressed curiosity as she reflected on her academic path and research careerduring a segment involving the recollection of personal experiences pertaining to perseverance and tenacity known as "Resilience: Her Stories." Luger said that the transition from student to independent researcher required a fundamental shift in mindsetas she went from "standing out by mastering what is already known" to "recognizing how much remains unknown and pursuing new knowledge." Acknowledging the pressure, anxiety, intense competition, and uncertainty that can accompany research, she encouraged scholars to turn these challenges into intellectual freedom, the joy of learning, the strength of teamwork, an appreciation of favorable opportunities, and optimism about the future. She urged researchers to maintain a healthy mindset during the long journey of scientific discovery.

Yin Juan, professor at the University of Science and Technology of China and chief designer of the quantum entanglement source payload for China's Micius quantum science satellite, delivers a speech titled "Orbiting with the Times: Resilience in the Quantum Leap" during the "Resilience: Her Stories" session of the 2026 SHE Forum.

Yin Juan, professor at the University of Science and Technology of China and chief designer of the quantum entanglement source payload for China's Micius quantum science satellite, stated that, as the first woman on her team, she had always refused to become the weakest link. Yin observed that greater challenges in research can lead to more significant achievements. Encouraging young women, she urged them not to "wait for the skies to clear before setting out" and to instead step boldly into the vast, uncharted frontiers of cutting-edge science.

Participants exchange views during the 2026 SHE Forum's panel discussion section.

Chinese and international scientists, recipients of major international science awards, and leaders from universities and research institutions discussed career pathways for women researchers in the age of AI, gender equality in scientific decision-making, and ways to build a more-inclusive research environment during a panel discussion. The discussion also included a question-and-answer segment that gave audience members the opportunity to engage directly with panel's speakers.

Strengthening international cooperation through a joint initiative

Chinese and international scientists pose for a photo after releasing a vision document known as the "Joint Initiative: Shaping the Next Decade of Leadership and Resilience for Women in Science" at the 2026 SHE Forum.

The forum concluded with the release of a vision document written by Chinese and international scientists known as the "Joint Initiative: Shaping the Next Decade of Leadership and Resilience for Women in Science." Recognizing that enabling women scientists to realize their full potential is both a matter of equity and a driver of sustainable human development, the document calls on the global scientific community, academic institutions, businesses, and international organizations to work together in five prioritized areas as outlined below.

Empowering leaders to flourish: Environments in which women scientists can take on leadership roles and enjoy equal opportunities to participate in scientific decision-making, set research agendas, and allocate resources should be created.

Championing resilience and breakthroughs: Experiences and effective practices should be shared and networks of mutual support should be built in order to help women scientists navigate professional challenges and make breakthroughs.

Promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and integration: Interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and intergenerational collaboration should be strengthened; integration of AI should be advanced across disciplines; and gender perspectives should be incorporated throughout scientific and technological innovation.

Strengthening international cooperation networks: Knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, talent-exchange, and international leadership opportunities should be expanded, and particular attention should be given to young women from developing countries.

Establishing an international alliance of women's organizations in science and technology: A sustained international network connecting organizations across borders, disciplines, and generations should be created via joint research, talent exchange, resource sharing and collective advocacy.

The 2026 SHE Forum was initiated by the China Women's Association for Science and Technology (CWAST) and co-organized by the World Laureates Foundation (WLF) and the CAST-UN Consultative Committee on Women Scientists and Gender Equality and Solidarity. The China Internet Information Center (CIIC) provided media support, and Peking University provided academic support.