Assistant Professor Peichen Zhong from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has been named an AI2050 Early Career Fellow by Schmidt Sciences, a distinction recognising exceptional researchers shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) for the benefit of humanity.
The AI2050 programme supports researchers working “to help AI create immense benefits for humanity by 2050”. Fellows pursue efforts to address some of AI’s most complex challenges, from building AI scientists and designing safer, more trustworthy models to advancing its applications in biological and medical research.
As part of the fellowship, Asst Prof Zhong aims to contribute to a sustainable, carbon-neutral society by using advanced AI to accelerate the discovery of novel molecules and materials. His research integrates machine learning, generative modelling, and language models to design materials essential for addressing climate change.
Assoc Prof Xue Jun Min, Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, said the recognition “stands as a strong testament to Asst Prof Zhong’s impactful research and its potential to shape the future through AI.” He added that “by bridging fundamental knowledge in quantum chemistry and materials modelling, his research advances AI models tailored for scientific applications and contributes to finding solutions for climate change, reinforcing CDE’s core commitment to sustainability.”
“AI has fundamentally changed the paradigms of scientific discovery, but it comes at a significant energy cost,” said Asst Prof Zhong. “I am motivated to turn AI's powerful capabilities back onto one of our greatest challenges — to discover the solutions that will mitigate carbon capture in climate change and lead us to a sustainable future.”
He added, “The Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Early Career Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to work at the true intersection of AI and the physical sciences. It will be a tremendous catalyst for my research, enabling the kind of deep, interdisciplinary collaboration needed to pioneer new scientific frontiers.”
