Beijing Institute of Technology launches hands-on AI practice lab

As universities rethink how AI should be taught, Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) is experimenting with a more practical approach. Earlier this year, BIT and Huawei launched what they describe as the world’s first AI Practice Laboratory, designed to give students hands-on experience using AI tools, computing infrastructure, and large models across multiple disciplines.

The lab moves beyond traditional computer science teaching by integrating AI into subjects including chemistry, law, economics, management, and education. Students learn through project-based work that combines theory with practical application, while gaining access to AI infrastructure, training software, and teaching resources built around Huawei’s computing and large model technologies.

BIT says the goal is to create a “general + specialized” curriculum that can adapt quickly as AI technologies evolve. The university has also introduced a “Self-Intelligent Cognitive Practice” course for first-year undergraduates, covering areas such as large models, intelligent robotics, HarmonyOS, and AI computing frameworks. The broader aim is to help students develop practical AI skills while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The initiative reflects a wider shift in higher education toward AI-native teaching models that emphasize experimentation, applied learning, and closer links between universities and industry.

Read the full story here: Beijing Institute of Technology AI Practice Laboratory story