Beihang University has officially launched "Operation Tufeng," the first "Aerospace + AI" original science fiction intellectual property (IP) in China's higher education institutions.

The initiative marks a significant step in the university's mission to harness the power of science fiction as a gateway for nurturing scientific curiosity among young people. In line with the national imperative that "scientific and technological innovation and science popularization are the two wings of achieving innovative development," Beihang is translating cutting-edge research into tangible, imaginative scenarios, inspiring the next generation to dream boldly and innovate fearlessly in an era of rapid AI advancement.

Beihang University will use the "Operation Tufeng" IP as a vehicle to create a digital intelligence science and technology competition that connects universities, middle schools, and primary schools. This model explores a distinctive educational approach in which sci-fi IP and hands-on scientific practice mutually reinforce each other—a significant innovation aligned with the university's fundamental mission of fostering holistic talent, integrating research with education, and deepening science outreach efforts.

The name "Operation Tufeng" draws from two legendary guardian beasts in Chinese mythology. The "Tu" refers to "Jiaotu," symbolizing the protection of the homeland, while the "Feng" refers to "Chaofeng," representing the watch over all directions. This cultural symbolism resonates deeply with the IP's core narrative.

Set in the year 2060, the story envisions a future in which humanity leverages highly advanced artificial intelligence to form a Human-Robot Mixed Rescue Force and dispatch it to various disaster areas to carry out rescue operations, encapsulating the central theme of "human-machine collaboration in defense of our common home."

"Operation Tufeng" brings together diverse expertise, with Academician Xiang Jinwu of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Academician Guo Lei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences serving as scientific advisors. It is developed through the interdisciplinary integration of Beihang's strengths in fields such as Aeronautics and Astronautics Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Management Science and Engineering, Industrial Design, and Digital Media Arts. Acclaimed sci-fi writer Jiang Bo serves as the science fiction advisor, with ongoing content co-creation models designed to continuously enrich the story's quality and depth.

As a novel vehicle for integrating research and education, "Operation Tufeng" integrates with the Primary and Secondary School Aircraft Digital Intelligence Challenge hosted by Beihang University, incorporating core elements from the story such as aerial rescue and homeland defense into the competition's themes, setting up tiered sci-tech innovation tasks, and continuously expanding the IP's connotation.

Looking ahead, Beihang will continue to refine the "Operation Tufeng" IP ecosystem, enhancing both its narrative depth and its synergy with science and technology competitions. By bringing frontier research out of the laboratory and into the lives of young people, the university aims to solidify foundational science education, foster a culture of innovation, and contribute to national scientific literacy. Through these efforts, Beihang is committed to nurturing a new generation of high-caliber science and technology talent for the country.

Editor: Lyu Xingyun