A German scientist and academic has emphasized that talent is a fundamental driving force for sustainable development, saying that no country can achieve long-term progress without sufficient expertise in science, entrepreneurship, and engineering.
Recently in Beijing, Othmar Herzog, an academician of the German National Academy of Engineering and a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, gave an exclusive interview to China Global Television Network (CGTN), a subsidiary of China Media Group (CMG).
Herzog was recently honored with the 2025 China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award at China’s National Science and Technology Awards Conference. The award is the highest scientific honor granted by China to foreign scientists in recognition of their outstanding contributions to international scientific and technological cooperation.
A renowned German expert in artificial intelligence, Herzog founded Germany’s first AI research center in 1985 and led the country’s first artificial intelligence research team. In 2014, he was invited to China to contribute to innovative development in the interdisciplinary fields of artificial intelligence and urban planning.
During the interview, Herzog said that talent is an essential foundation for national development. He stressed that only countries with sufficient talent in scientific research, entrepreneurship, and engineering can achieve sustained long-term growth.
Reflecting on his 11 years of experience working in China, Herzog said he has witnessed the country’s rapid transformation firsthand.
“Take the urban village near my home as an example,” he said. “I personally witnessed its demolition and reconstruction, where high-rise residential buildings were built in its place. A new road was also constructed on the site of the former urban village.”
He noted that the newly built road includes four lanes for motor vehicles, dedicated lanes for non-motorized vehicles, and pedestrian sidewalks. Street lighting and green landscaping were also added. The approximately 400-meter-long road was completed in just two weeks, a pace of construction that he described as deeply impressive.
Herzog said he has devoted his life to developing artificial intelligence systems that can benefit humanity. He added that this vision aligns fully with his lifelong work and that he strongly supports efforts to ensure AI serves human well-being.
“I would like to quote Chinese President Xi Jinping’s view that artificial intelligence should be made truly beneficial and serve the interests of humanity,” Herzog said.
Source: Cai, Alim and Prema, China Media Group (CMG).