From May 9th to June 8th, the third to seventh sessions of the second season of the "Huayuan Bowen" series of reading clubs, themed "Intelligence and Media," were held successively in the school library of the School of Journalism and Communication, South China University of Technology. Professors Chen Juan, Zheng Yudan, and Zhao Hong from the Department of Journalism and Communication, Professor Duan Chunlin from the Department of Brand Communication, and Professor Shan Yunming from the School of International Education served as guides. Doctoral and master's students from all levels actively participated in the clubs.

The third book club discussion revolved around the book The Deceptive Nature of the Media. Huang Xincheng, a doctoral student from the class of 2024, systematically outlined the book's theoretical framework and real-world examples, focusing on three core themes: commonplace deception, algorithm-driven cognitive biases, and the moral dilemmas of the technological age. Professor Chen Juan pointed out that while AI possesses an unprecedented amount of knowledge in human history, this does not mean it has genuine understanding and judgment. She emphasized that AI is essentially a combination of statistics and computational technology, relying on common patterns extracted from data while ignoring individual differences and the experiences of marginalized groups. We should be wary of the limitations and stereotypes that AI can bring, and should not regard its output as ultimate truth, but rather value systematic professional knowledge, individual experience, and the continuous process of refinement in practice.

The fourth book club session focused on an in-depth discussion of the book The Coming Wave, which systematically explores the role of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and synthetic biology in reshaping social power structures and their profound impact on the future development of humanity. This sparked lively discussion and reflection among the faculty and students present. Professor Duan Chunlin highly praised the book's forward-thinking nature and the author's deep accumulation of interdisciplinary research. She stated that the book not only offers profound insights into future technological development trends but also keenly captures the complex issues arising from current social transformation. She particularly emphasized the author's extensive industry experience, enabled him to summarize four worrying characteristics of this technological wave and ten key steps towards containment measures, providing readers with new perspectives and dimensions for reflection.

The fifth book club session focused on an in-depth discussion of the book Intercultural Communication. Doctoral student Gao Weiying introduced the book's discussions of fundamental concepts such as culture, communication, cognition, and values, as well as the importance of intercultural communication in practical applications. Professor Shan Yunming, drawing on her own intercultural experiences, provided a clear and concise explanation of the application of the U-shaped model in intercultural communication. She believes the book's strength lies not only in its theoretical depth but also in its practical guidance. She extended the discussion to the dissemination of Chinese stories, sharing the application prospects of intercultural communication in various research areas in conjunction with the research directions of other doctoral students.

The sixth book club session focused on Professor Luo Zhitian's Power Shift: Thought and Society in Modern China. Professor Zheng Yudan summarized the concept of "power shift" and how it triggers intellectual and social changes. She argued that theories corresponding to this intellectual transformation include Max Weber's disenchantment theory, Lewin's model of change processes, and Everett Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory. Social theories include evolutionary theory, structural functionalism, and Merton's theory of explicit and implicit functions. Using the book as an example, Professor Zheng used these theories to inspire students' reading methods, key points, and the connection to their own research. The students who participated in the book club expressed that they benefited greatly.

The seventh book club session focused on an in-depth discussion of Frontiers in Western Digital Nomad Research, edited by Professor Yao Jianhua of the School of Journalism at Fudan University. Professor Zhao Hong argued that a significant contribution of the book is its profound revelation of the complex characteristics of the "digital nomad" group. He described "digital nomads" as an overly idealized and romanticized "imagined utopia", and the researchers in the book relentlessly exposed the power relations behind them. Their freelancing is a lifestyle choice, not a means for them to completely escape constraints and responsibilities. He emphasized that research on "digital nomads" requires a broader historical perspective, a deeper understanding of the connections and differences between digital-age nomadic culture and traditional nomadic culture, and a localized perspective on the various characteristics of "digital nomadic" practices in China, further revealing the essential digital labor attributes of "digital nomads."

The "Huayuan Bowen" book club series responds to the new challenges facing communication research in the age of artificial intelligence, promotes the exchange of knowledge and the collision of ideas, inspires the enthusiasm of faculty and students for science and humanities issues, and helps build an academic community with a global perspective and local concern. In the future, the book club will continue to focus on cutting-edge issues in journalism and communication studies, providing support and a platform for faculty and students to discuss from multidisciplinary perspectives. Faculty and students are welcome to participate actively, explore the endless wisdom and enjoyment within the books, and jointly embrace the surging tide of knowledge.