On May 18, Zhang Chaoyang, founder, Chairman of the Board, and CEO of Sohu, shared his views at the 2026 Sohu Science & Technology Annual Forum. He noted that AI has greatly facilitated the popularization of basic science — it can condense what used to take days of research into just one day. However, high-quality science communication shouldn’t merely focus on information delivery; it must also encourage audiences to perform calculations and research themselves, rather than substituting principle explanations with ‘plausible-sounding metaphors.’ He advocated that science communication in the AI era should center on ‘rigorous theoretical derivations plus hands-on interaction,’ enabling audiences to truly grasp underlying principles.
Citing research from MIT Media Lab, Zhang pointed out that overreliance on AI can lead to a decline in independent thinking abilities: individuals who write without any tool assistance show roughly twice the brain activity levels compared to those using AI assistance. He urged people to maintain a proper ‘ratio of active thinking’ in the AI era, preventing mental deterioration caused by passive information consumption. Ultimately, he emphasized that proactive exploration and deep critical thinking remain irreplaceable core competencies for humans.