China's top universities plan to roll out 'embodied intelligence' majors to fuel Beijing's robotics push (www.businessinsider.com)

China's top universities, including Shanghai Jiao Tong and Zhejiang University, are set to launch a new undergraduate major in "embodied intelligence," a field that integrates AI with robotics. This initiative is part of China's strategic effort to address a growing demand for skilled professionals in future industries, particularly in robotics and AI-driven technologies. The Ministry of Education has highlighted that the major is crucial for meeting national talent needs, with projections indicating the embodied intelligence market could soar from 5.3 billion yuan this year to 400 billion yuan by 2030. The new major will feature innovative courses such as multimodal perception, embodied human-robot interaction, and machine learning for robotics. Institutions like the Beijing Institute of Technology aim to enroll 120 students annually, ensuring a workforce ready to join leading tech companies such as Huawei and Alibaba. This move aligns with China's ongoing advancements in robotics, evidenced by significant projects like the development of humanoid robots, and mirrors similar educational offerings in the U.S. The push for embodied intelligence majors underscores a heightened focus on cutting-edge technology and positions China to become a global leader in robotics and AI innovation.