Shanghai Jiao Tong University announced the launch of a cutting-edge super platform for scientific research on Monday, with a goal of breaking down disciplinary boundaries and bridging the gap between academia, industry and research.

Designed to be a comprehensive, intelligent, and scalable research platform with a focus on scientific discovery, the super platform integrates seamlessly with the university's library, computing center, and analysis and testing center, breaking down data isolation and reshaping the research workflow. It aims to facilitate the sharing and flexible allocation of computing power, data, and equipment across departments and platforms, creating a closed loop of literature, computation and experimentation to accelerate research advancement and promote interdisciplinary innovation, said the university.

The super platform will help drive a transformation in research methodology toward interdisciplinary, intelligent and collaborative approaches, providing essential support for cultivating new productive forces for the country, the school said.

The strategic significance of the super platform will be realized in several key dimensions, according to the university. For example, by focusing on critical areas, such as biomedicine and new energy, it will leverage AI to expedite research breakthroughs and help achieve independent and controllable core technologies, serving the nation's major needs. It will also contribute to reshaping the talent development system by breaking down disciplinary boundaries and nurturing innovative talent with both professional depth and AI literacy.

Looking ahead, the goal of the super platform is to become a hub of computing power supporting national strategic tasks. It also plans to collaborate with the world's top institutions to launch an open-source initiative regarding global research, enhancing China's influence in forming international research regulations and establishing itself as a bridgehead for international research cooperation, according to the university.

Ding Hong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and vice-director of Tsung-Dao Lee Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said the university aims to set the future standards for AI for Science.

"Over the next three to five years, the super platform is scheduled to develop a fully automated scientific research system from hypothesis to verification, making AI the 'second brain' for scientists," he said.