Shanghai Jiao Tong University builds an AI-native campus

At Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), artificial intelligence is no longer confined to computer science labs. It is becoming part of the university’s research, teaching, and daily operations, powered by Zhiyuan-1, one of the world’s most powerful university-owned AI computing platforms.

Developed by SJTU together with Huawei, the platform delivers 633 petaflops of computing power and tens of petabytes of storage — infrastructure more commonly associated with major commercial AI labs than with a traditional university data center. The system supports large-scale AI model training while also serving practical campus needs, from scientific research to student services and university administration.

SJTU says the platform is helping shift education away from traditional lecture-based teaching toward project-driven learning built around AI tools and interdisciplinary collaboration. Researchers are using the system to analyze deep-sea biological samples and other complex scientific data, while students use AI-assisted tools for coding, language learning, and academic support.

The result: an emerging model of an “AI-native” university, where computing infrastructure becomes as fundamental to campus life as electricity or internet access.

Read the full Times Higher Education feature here: Times Higher Education feature on Zhiyuan-1