On May 10, the 2026 National Brain-Computer Interface Technology & Industry Integration Innovation Conference (BCI CHINA 2026) was held in Nanjing. Co-hosted by the Institute of Brain-Computer Interface of Nanjing University (Gulou Laboratory), the National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, and the Innovation Consortium of National Key Laboratories for BCI, the event gathered top experts and industry leaders. Liu Xiaotao, Governor of Jiangsu Province, attended the opening ceremony. Also present were Zhou Hongbo, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Nanjing Municipal Committee; Chang Jin, CAS Academician and President of the University of Science and Technology of China; Zhang Rong, CAS Academician and Party Secretary of Xiamen University; and Tan Tieniu, CAS Academician and Party Secretary of Nanjing University. Speeches were delivered by Shen Jianrong, Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province; Li Zhongjun, Mayor of Nanjing; and Tan Zhemin, CAS Academician and President of Nanjing University.
As a disruptive and strategic frontier technology in the global wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, the brain-computer interface serves as a crucial track driving the deep integration of life health and the digital economy. Jiangsu has taken the lead nationwide by launching an action plan for the innovative development of the BCI industry, implementing four major initiatives—collaborative industrial innovation, open scenario cultivation, expansion of industrial entities, and enhancement of industrial support—and establishing the Provincial BCI Industry Alliance to build a development paradigm of 'scientific research innovation, clinical traction, platform empowerment, and ecosystem synergy.' Themed 'Smart Mind, Bright Future,' the conference aims to establish a deeply integrated communication platform for industry, academia, research, and capital, leading academic frontiers, gathering top-tier resources, promoting the commercialization of achievements, and realizing BCI technological transformation, industrial cooperation, and regional synergistic development.
During the event, the guests jointly launched the 2026 National Brain-Computer Interface Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Officials in charge of relevant departments and bureaus of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology delivered speeches. Academicians, experts, and entrepreneurs from Zhejiang Lab, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and BrainCo delivered keynote speeches centered on their respective professional fields.
The event saw the release of the Brain-Computer Interface Industrial Brain and Research Report (2026), the Brain Science Research journal, and the Jiangsu Province High-Quality Brain-Computer Interface Dataset. The National BCI Sci-Tech Innovation Alliance, Medical Alliance, and Capital Alliance were officially established. The Jiangsu (Nanjing) Brain-Computer Intelligent Technology Innovation Park was inaugurated, and the 'Nanjing Guyue' BCI Industry Guidance Fund, with a total scale of 1 billion RMB, was unveiled. Awards were presented to a group of outstanding young scientists, excellent research projects, innovative products, and innovative enterprises, and key projects were signed on-site. Prior to the conference, the attending guests toured an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technological achievements in the BCI field.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Zheng Hairong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, Executive Vice President of Nanjing University, and CAS Academician. The event brought together nearly 20 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering from various universities and research institutes; Zhao Jianjun, Secretary-General of the Provincial Government; officials in charge of relevant departments and bureaus of national ministries; officials from relevant departments of Jiangsu Province and Nanjing Municipality; as well as representatives from major national universities, scientific research institutes, medical institutions, investment organizations, and enterprises.
