Compiled by Li Weidong, Professor of the School of Journalism and Information Communication (SJIC), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Intelligent New Media, the first domestic textbook that systematically introduces the basic principles and application models of intelligent new media, has been officially published by Posts & Telecom Press recently. The textbook takes the “innovative design ability of the application model” as a “red line” for the talent training in the field of intelligent new media. It has systematically introduced the basic knowledge and cutting-edge trends of intelligent new media, and can fill the gap of teaching materials for innovative design talent training in network and new media major.

At present, artificial intelligence (AI) technology has triggered new global competition, and various countries are trying to seize the commanding heights of AI development. The application of AI technology in various industries and fields in China is becoming more and more extensive, and it is also comprehensively transforming all levels of existing new media. Intelligent new media is gradually merging into the homes of ordinary people. In September 2020, the Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Deep Integration of Media, issued by the General Office of the Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, particularly emphasized that advanced technology should lead and drive integrated development; it should vigorously cultivate all-media talents and fully release the vitality of talents. But what exactly do talents in the field of networking and new media should learn? And what abilities should they focus on? It is a basic question that must be seriously considered by the current education community. Intelligent New Media came into being under such a background.

Intelligent New Media is compiled by the team of Professor Li Weidong and Wang Yongji, Professor of the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, for three years. Some AI companies also provided original materials and application product cases with important reference value for this textbook. Combining the background of the times, it answers the question of the innovation of intelligent new media application models, and explores how to train new media application product innovation and design talents in the AI era. The textbook is mainly composed of three parts, namely basic principles, application models and operation management. From Chapter 1 to Chapter 5, the textbook introduces basic principles in terms of basic concepts, architecture structure, computing mode, infrastructure, product form, application mode theory, application mode design method, product construction method, cloud communication mode and content production (big data visualization). From Chapter 6 to Chapter 9, the textbook combines AI with other four major areas of information acquisition, communication and interaction, life and entertainment, and e-commerce, and covers new application modes such as intelligent news, intelligent learning, intelligent search, intelligent interaction, intelligent life, and intelligent business. From Chapter 10 to Chapter 11, the textbook has in-depth discussions of the operation and management strategy of intelligent new media based on typical cases of the operation and management strategy of the intelligent new media. From theory to practice, step by step, the learning of basic knowledge of intelligent new media and the improvement of innovative design capabilities are organically integrated. The author, Professor Li Weidong, points out in the foreword that the industry should catalyze the original innovation of key AI technologies with AI application model innovation, and the education community should take the innovative design ability of application models as the core competitiveness of network and new media talents.

SJIC has always been adhering to the talent training purpose of “excelling at the intersection of arts and sciences”, and cultivating composite journalism and information communication talents who have a solid foundation in humanities and social sciences and master modern communication tools. After clarifying the goal and direction of talent training, SJIC has been committed to building a teaching material system for cultivating innovative design talents for new media applications. Previously, SJIC has published a series of textbooks on innovative design of new media applications, including Introduction to Network Communication compiled by Professor Zhong Ying, Analysis of New Media Users by Professor Yu Hong, and Network and New Media Application Model--Innovative Design and Operation Strategic Perspective by Professor Li Weidong, etc. At the same time, a series of courses on innovative design of new media application products have been developed. Among them, “Analysis of New Media Users” lectured by Professor Yu Hong and “Network and New Media Application Model” lectured by Professor Li Weidong have been awarded the national first-class online undergraduate courses.

The publication of the textbook Intelligent New Media has enriched the teaching material system for the network and new media major, and further explored new ideas for the construction of network and new media professional courses and new directions for new media creative design talent training. Professor Zhang Kun writes in the preface of the book: “For university education, the compilation, circulation and selection of teaching materials are the prerequisites for educational activities. Professor Li Weidong’s Intelligent New Media is pioneering and innovative. It leads the trend and fills the gap, which should be fully affirmed.”