Have you ever imagined? Your refrigerator reminding you to replenish ingredients, your air conditioner automatically adjusting the temperature before you get home, hospital equipment being able to ‘report’ its location, and drones in the fields accurately sowing seeds… All of this is no longer just a scene from a science fiction movie, but a reality that is happening.
We are standing at an unprecedented turning point in time—artificial intelligence is surging like a tide, and the Internet of Things is intricately woven together. The fusion of the two is giving birth to the ‘Intelligent Internet of Things’ (AIoT), which is quietly reshaping the pulse of cities, the rhythm of factories, the temperature of homes, and even our entire imagination of ‘smart living.’
On the afternoon of November 23, the fifth season’s seventh episode of ‘Science Has a View · Science Talk Wulin’ arrived as scheduled, themed ‘Intelligent Emergence, Everything Interconnected.’ Professor Chi Kaikai from Zhejiang University of Technology was invited to face over a hundred audience members, unveiling the mysterious veil of AIoT and making advanced technology tangible, understandable, and usable in daily life.
When Technology Has Warmth: An AIoT Class That ‘Lives’
At the beginning of the event, the award-winning science popularization instructor team from the Zhejiang Science and Technology Museum presented a fun and engaging science experiment show. From the ancient ‘clepsydra’ timekeeping of Shen Kuo to the practical application of the principle of communicating vessels, the instructors vividly demonstrated the close connection between science and life through observing the changes in color of hot and cold water, and the liquid pressure at different water levels, which drew exclamations from the children present.
This ‘science experiment show’ not only ignited curiosity on-site but also laid the groundwork for the upcoming theme: technology is never an aloof symbol, but a crystallization of wisdom that originates from and serves life.
Next, Professor Chi Kaikai, a distinguished professor at Zhejiang University of Technology and a top talent in the ‘Ten Thousand Talents Program’ of Zhejiang Province, took the stage. He did not discuss complex algorithm formulas but instead used vivid examples to explain ‘AI + IoT’ (AIoT) in a simple and engaging manner.
Chi Kaikai eloquently narrated the ‘past and present’ of the Internet of Things: from Alibaba’s full-scale entry into IoT in 2018 to the current billions of devices ‘talking’ to each other, the Internet of Things is no longer a concept confined to laboratories but a daily presence embedded in the pulse of cities, factory assembly lines, and even kitchen corners. And when artificial intelligence joins this ‘connection’ feast, the real transformation is just beginning. ‘AIoT is not a simple splicing of AI and IoT,’ he emphasized, ‘it is a completely new way of thinking—allowing everything not only to be ‘connected’ but also to ‘think.’
He provided relatable examples: a smart socket that can not only remotely turn on the rice cooker but also tell you how much electricity you have used this month; an air conditioner that remembers you like 26°C before you get off work and adjusts to 28°C before you sleep; even toothbrushes have become ‘smart’—they can remind you that you haven’t brushed your left upper gums enough and even generate a daily oral health report through an app. ‘These are not future fantasies,’ Chi Kaikai said, ‘they are quietly working in our homes.’
What is most touching is his conclusion: ‘AIoT is never meant to replace humans, but to extend our senses and capabilities.’ He paused, scanning the focused faces in the audience, ‘It is like an invisible hand, helping you see clearer, think further, and act more accurately in places you cannot see—while we remain the ones making the decisions.’
At that moment, technology was no longer cold code but a warm companion.
When AIoT Becomes Reality: A Dialogue About Trust, the Future, and Whether Dad Can Take More Days Off
Next, the event entered the interactive dialogue segment of ‘Science Talk Wulin.’
Chi Kaikai first talked about the high-precision indoor positioning system developed by his team. ‘In hospitals, where is the ventilator? Is the caregiver checking on time? These seemingly trivial questions are crucial at critical moments.’ The system developed by Chi Kaikai’s team uses wireless signals and building environmental features to accurately locate every device and every person in complex buildings. This technology has now been implemented in several hospitals, transforming emergency response from ‘finding by people’ to ‘seconds-level reach,’ significantly improving resource scheduling efficiency.
However, while technology is developing rapidly, challenges cannot be ignored. Chi Kaikai emphasized that privacy and security are currently bottlenecks restricting the development of AIoT. The ubiquity of IoT devices means that personal data collection is also pervasive. Home cameras can be hacked, and health monitoring data may be illegally traded—’being useful’ does not equate to ‘being safe.’ He called for security design to be prioritized, achieving ‘data usable but invisible’ through end-to-end encryption and localized processing, truly safeguarding user rights.
These viewpoints quickly ignited the audience’s enthusiasm for thought. Someone worriedly asked, ‘In the future, when the Internet of Things is popularized, will many people lose their jobs?’ Chi Kaikai calmly responded: technology will indeed replace some repetitive jobs, such as drivers and cashiers, but historical experience shows that every technological revolution will give rise to more new professions—AI trainers, data ethics consultants, intelligent system operation engineers… The key is to actively learn and embrace change. Another child innocently asked, ‘Will my dad only have to work two days and then take five days off?’ Chi Kaikai smiled and nodded: ‘It’s possible! In the future, humans will be liberated from heavy labor and focus on creativity, emotions, and decision-making—abilities that machines cannot replicate.’ And when a parent expressed concern that daily conversations might be monitored by AI, Chi Kaikai replied: technology has two sides; while the public enjoys convenience, they should also choose trustworthy products and pay attention to permission settings, jointly building a security defense line in the digital age.
Between the questions and answers, the air seemed to be illuminated by thoughts. This dialogue was devoid of high-handed preaching, only sincere communication and shared reflection—when AIoT truly becomes a reality, it brings not only convenience but also a profound dialogue about trust, responsibility, and human value.
This scientific spirit coincides perfectly with the recent surge of interest in the Pineapple Science Award in Hangzhou. Since its establishment in 2012, this public science communication activity, guided by the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology and hosted by the Zhejiang Science and Technology Museum, has always aimed to ‘honor curiosity,’ breaking down the barriers between science and the public with humor, creativity, and imaginative thinking. This year’s Pineapple Science Award, themed ‘Awesome, It’s Abstract!’ not only recognizes seemingly whimsical yet deeply thoughtful research like ‘Intermittent Fasting Causes Baldness’ and ‘Sprinkling Diamonds to Cool the Earth,’ but also makes cutting-edge technology tangible, perceptible, and playable through science fairs, forums, and award ceremonies.
In this era where intelligence and imagination soar together, we may be standing at the starting point of the next scientific romance—so long as we maintain the courage to ask questions, even in the ordinary daily life, we can bloom with surprising flowers.
Science Has a View · Science Talk Wulin
‘Science Has a View’ is dedicated to promoting innovative integration and development of science popularization. Since its inception, it has invited many big names to participate in activities, including space hero Yang Liwei, heroic astronaut Liu Boming, and academicians such as You Duowei and Yang Derun. In 2025, the ‘Science Has a View’ event underwent a new upgrade, specially planning a series of ‘Science Talk Wulin’ activities that embody curiosity and exploration spirit, inviting top scientists, industry pioneers, and experts from different fields to gather together for an in-depth dialogue about science in the ‘Wulin’ central position of the city.