AI Hotspot Report – February 9, 2026

As of February 9, 2026, here are the latest developments in artificial intelligence:

1. Shanghai AI Lab Releases Open Source Trillion-Parameter Model

The Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has announced the release of Intern (Shusheng)-S1-Pro, a trillion-parameter scientific multimodal model built on the “integrated technology” architecture called SAGE. This initiative aims to transition AI for Science from the 1.0 phase of “tool revolution” to the 2.0 era, where “revolutionary tools” drive scientific discovery, providing a systematic open-source foundation.

2. “AI + Science Education”: Promoting Cutting-Edge Resources Through Intelligent Science Popularization

With the global wave of AI sweeping across various sectors, the challenge is to use intelligent science popularization as a bridge to bring high-end research resources out of laboratories and into educational settings. This integration aims to cultivate innovative talents suited for the future. Recently, the 2026 China Automation and Artificial Intelligence Science Popularization Conference was held in Beijing, gathering experts from academia, research, and education to discuss the core topic of “AI + Science Education” and develop a roadmap for empowering innovative talent cultivation through intelligent science popularization.

3. Metaphysical Reflections on the Ethical Limits of Artificial Intelligence

Pang Junlai, in the Journal of Ethics and Civilization, discusses the evolution of artificial intelligence through four major waves: internet intelligence, business intelligence, physical intelligence, and autonomous intelligence. The underlying logic reflects the paradigms of symbolic AI, deep learning based on big data, and automated intelligent human-computer interaction. Reflecting on the epistemological foundations of ethics and morality within the context of AI allows for a deeper understanding of the metaphysical nature of human ethics and the hierarchical differences in current AI ethics research.

4. Strategizing AI Talent Acquisition

According to authors Yuan Shuai and He Fei, artificial intelligence serves as a “super engine” determining the future competitive landscape. The global competition for AI talent is intensifying. In April 2025, the European Commission released the Continental AI Action Plan, aiming to expand AI-related degree programs and streamline talent acquisition processes. By June, the UK launched a Global Talent Program, introducing a £25 million Turing AI Global Scholarship to attract top AI professionals. In December, the United States initiated the American Technology Power Program, focusing on systematically attracting top engineers, data scientists, and technical leaders to address challenges in AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

5. Emplifi: 2025 Social Media Marketing Report

The future of marketing is here, and it is centered around adapting to new platforms, audiences, and expectations. The year 2026 is set to mark a significant turning point. Teams are under increasing pressure to produce more content, drive measurable ROI, and keep pace with technologies such as AI—all while managing limited resources and the risk of burnout. AI is proving its worth in marketing by saving time, with 82% of marketers indicating that AI tools have enhanced productivity. However, only 35% of them believe the improvement is substantial, while nearly half (47%) consider it moderate. Looking ahead, marketers are not only optimistic but are also planning concrete next steps.