The Manchester alumni community recently came together for an afternoon centred on one timely question: what remains uniquely human in an AI-driven world?

Bestselling author Qian Ziyan — former CFO of a US-listed electronics group and author of 36 Thinking Tools to Navigate the AI Era — led the discussion. Dr. Sherry Fu, Director of the China Centre, opened the session and guided the conversation, joined by Ms. Wen Shi, Manchester GMBA alumna and founder of Pearl Lady, who brought valuable perspectives from both business and entrepreneurship.

Qian’s message was clear: while AI brings extraordinary computational power, the human mind remains our greatest advantage. Through 36 thinking frameworks across five dimensions — wisdom, transformation, meaning, emotional connection and curiosity — he shared practical tools for staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.

In 2026, the University of Manchester China Centre proudly celebrates its 18th anniversary. To mark this milestone, we are launching the “18th Anniversary Alumni Company Visit Series” — a programme designed to provide alumni with first-hand insights into how sustainability and innovation are shaping different industries, while strengthening connections across our global Manchester community.

Coinciding with World Environment Day, the first visit in the series will take place at Maison La Prairie, Shanghai. The visit will explore how a leading luxury beauty brand integrates sustainability into its brand philosophy, customer experience and business practices.