From February 13 to 15, 2025, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) held its annual meeting in Boston, USA. Centered on the theme “Science Shaping Tomorrow,” the conference focused on the integrated development of science, policy, and society, attracting representatives from research institutions, universities, policymakers, and international organizations from dozens of countries and regions around the world.

Under the leadership and coordination of the Beijing International Exchange Association, the BRICS Platform for Enhancing Scientific Capacity and Innovation Cooperation participated in a themed forum at the AAAS Annual Meeting for the third consecutive year. The 2025 forum, titled “Technology for Heritage: Cooperative Innovation Toward a Shared Future,” was hosted by the Beijing International Exchange Association. It explored international cooperation pathways for the application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in cultural heritage preservation, cross-cultural understanding, and science-enabled empowerment.

Experts and scholars from China, Iran, Italy, Portugal, the United States, and other countries were invited to share case studies on how technology supports cultural transmission in their respective contexts. Discussions also addressed topics such as digital capacity building in developing countries and the integration of culture and technology. The forum contributed a “BRICS voice” to global efforts to promote technological equity and strengthen the protection of cultural diversity.

The platform’s participation further deepened its foundation of exchange and cooperation with international scientific organizations and demonstrated its active role in advancing the application of emerging technologies and promoting inclusive innovation. Moving forward, the platform—guided by the Beijing International Exchange Association—will continue to engage in global high-level science and technology governance discussions, expand the depth and breadth of multilateral cooperation, and inject new momentum into building an open, inclusive, and sustainable global science and technology cooperation system.