With a theme to hunt the next AI unicorn, the 2025-2026 International Youth Leadership Finance Summit, held by the Master of Finance Program of the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, took place in Shanghai on the weekend. 

Gathering more than 100 students from top universities worldwide to engage in in-depth discussions on real business cases from more than a dozen companies, the event aimed to guide students in examining AI products and technologies through both financial and business perspectives and fostering cross-disciplinary integration.

Experts from academia and industry highlighted that AI is transitioning from a phase of technological breakthroughs to one of engineering and commercial validation. And therefore, the demand for talent now emphasizes a combination of engineering judgment, systemic understanding, and commercial application skills.

Many participants described the event as a growth journey marked by cross-disciplinary intellectual exchanges. They explored various perspectives, from technology and product development to investment and commercialization, learning analytical methods, understanding industry trends, and honing their decision-making skills while experiencing a real-world AI innovation arena.

To further support participants in understanding the intersection of technology and business, the summit offered a series of comprehensive courses and workshops. They covered topics such as AI fundamentals, investment trends, and case studies of unicorn enterprises, helping students develop skills in technological insight, business analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration.