[2026 Sustainability Learning Week – Evening Lecture] ESG Future Lab: AI Agents Driving Sustainability Strategy Simulation and Governance Decision-Making

China Medical University’s (CMU) Office of Social Responsibility and Sustainability held an evening lecture as part of its Sustainability Learning Week on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Stanford Conference Room on the second floor of the Excellence Building at the Shui-Nan Campus, with simultaneous online participation via Google Meet. The event invited Dr. Yu-Ching Lan, IBM Chief AI Scientist, to deliver a keynote lecture titled “ESG Future Lab: AI Agents Driving Sustainability Strategy Simulation and Governance Decision-Making.” The session was hosted by Vice President for General Affairs Hui-Tsung Hsu, who delivered the opening remarks. The lecture attracted a large number of student participants.

Dr. Lan began by sharing her career transition journey and drawing on her personal experiences to encourage students to explore the diverse possibilities of future career development. She then introduced current trends in AI development and its increasingly advanced applications. As AI technology continues to evolve, AI agents are becoming important tools for corporate digital transformation. Beyond assisting with information processing and task execution, they have the potential to fundamentally reshape traditional workflows and organizational operations. The lecture also introduced the concept of multi-agent systems, in which multiple AI agents collaborate, coordinate, and divide responsibilities to accomplish more complex tasks, demonstrating the potential of AI-powered collaboration. Using IBM’s organizational structure as an example, Dr. Lan explained how the adoption of AI agents can transform corporate workforce allocation and the division of responsibilities. She highlighted that AI is not merely a tool for improving work efficiency, but may also redefine how workplaces operate in the future. Furthermore, with ESG sustainability strategies and governance decision-making as its central focus, the lecture introduced students to the potential applications of AI technology in corporate management and sustainable development.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Dr. Lan encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and avoid limiting themselves to their existing academic backgrounds or preconceived career paths. She emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mind, actively exploring emerging technologies and knowledge across different disciplines, and continuously developing their capabilities and career opportunities through lifelong learning. Drawing on her own career experiences, she reminded students that there is no single predetermined path in life, and that the willingness to explore new possibilities and embrace challenges may lead to a broader and more rewarding future. Through practical insights shared by an industry expert, the lecture helped students gain a deeper understanding of how AI technology is transforming corporate organizations and sustainability governance. CMU hopes that the event will further inspire students to develop interdisciplinary thinking, stay informed about technological advancements, and create new opportunities for their future careers and contributions to sustainable development.