Humans should maintain independent thinking and make rational use of digital technology, while promoting human-artificial intelligence collaboration to create high-quality Chinese cultural content, experts and industry leaders said.

They shared their insights at the Forum on Enhancing the Cultural Strength of the Greater Bay Area in the Age of Digital Intelligence in Shenzhen on Friday, which is one of the sub-forums of the Forum on Building up China's Cultural Strength 2026.

AI is far more than a cutting-edge technology, but has evolved into a new cultural form shaping the digital intelligent era, said Xu Yangsheng, president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.

"Rather than being merely a technological tool, AI blends new ways of thinking, behavioral norms and value judgments," he said.

"It is quietly changing people's mindset, lifestyle, and even social values. It has blurred the line between humans and machines, opened the door for public creativity, and changed how people socialize and connect with one another."

Xu noted that young people stand at the heart of the AI cultural revolution, acting as both main participants and trailblazers of the era of change.

"Youths have led every cultural and technological shift and the AI age is no exception," he said. "Free from rigid old mindsets, young minds adapt faster to AI."

Xu urged the younger generation to master AI tools, maintain independent thinking, stick to moral bottom lines, and embrace the digital era with reason, responsibility, and cultural sensitivity.