Humanities studies take back seat as AI surges ahead

Cutting of university liberal arts enrollments sparks heated debate among academics

Fudan University's decision to slash its humanities enrollments by up to half and expand its technology-focused programs has sparked a fierce academic debate about the value of humanities subjects in the era of booming artificial intelligence.

The strategic pivot by the Shanghai-based university mirrors moves by Peking and Tsinghua universities to boost undergraduate intakes in AI and related fields. This is despite Fudan being celebrated as a traditional stronghold of the humanities.

At this year's annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, Fudan University President Jin Li, who is also an NPC deputy, revealed plans to restructure the engineering departments into six innovation colleges specializing in integrated circuits, intelligent robotics and advanced manufacturing.

Although new humanities programs will emerge, their overall share of admissions will be reduced from 30 to 40 percent to 20 percent, he said.

Public reaction to the announcement has been divided.

Supporters have applauded the tech-oriented shift, arguing that AI dominance leaves mediocre humanities graduates uncompetitive in the jobs market. Others mourn the potential erosion of Fudan's humanities legacy.

The debate encapsulates China's developmental crossroads: balancing immediate tech demands with preserving the humanities "soul" of its elite education tradition.

Qiu Xin, Party Secretary of Fudan University, said at an earlier work conference that the university's humanities programs remain 'cornerstone' advantages, and their foundations won't be compromised. The reforms aim to elevate educational quality while meeting national priorities, he said.