The Shanghai sub-forum of the 2026 World Dialogue on Art and Technology was held on Sunday, highlighting the city's efforts of becoming an international cultural metropolis and design capital.

Bringing together global research findings and case studies, the event examined how digital technologies can empower the innovation and preservation of folk arts while exploring new paths for the integration of technology and design in the digital era.

Guided by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the event was jointly hosted by Shanghai University and partner institutions.

Hu Dawei, deputy Party secretary and vice-president of Shanghai University, emphasized the university's commitment to integrating science and engineering with humanities, social sciences, and arts to serve national strategies and Shanghai's urban development.

"This event marks a starting point to help revitalize and enhance the global influence of China's outstanding traditional culture through exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations," he said.

Participants engaged in deep discussions on the integration of science and art, digital innovation in folk arts, the revitalization of cultural heritage, and the digitization of cultural and museum resources. They shared research outcomes blending theoretical innovation with practical application.

The Eighth China Creativity Festival of College Students was also launched during the event. Organized by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, the festival aims to provide a platform for university students nationwide to showcase their creative talents and contribute to the creative expression and innovative development of the country's rich cultural heritage.