Wei Yuming: Humanism for the public, perfectionism for himself
Editor's Note
For over a century, Tsinghua University has been a hub for nurturing exceptional talents, including those who have made significant contributions to various fields through their intellectual pursuits. Join us as we explore the stories of these outstanding young scholars in our new series, DocTalk. From innovative ideas to groundbreaking research, we’ll showcase the diverse range of achievements of these young minds who are studying or have studied at Tsinghua University.
This piece looks into the story of Dr. Wei Yuming, who received his Ph.D. degree from the School of Public Policy & Management, Tsinghua University, and is now a postdoctoral fellow. He advocates the extensive development of AI governance in China, exploring his answer to his academic career and life.
In 2020, Wei Yuming, as a Ph.D. student, was awarded the highest student scholarship of Tsinghua University, an honor bestowed on no more than ten individuals each year. Initially, he held the belief that this esteemed scholarship should be awarded to the most talented, exceptional, and well-rounded students. However, upon becoming a recipient himself, he discovered that this distinction was not as unattainable as he had once imagined. “The true significance of receiving this scholarship lies in inspiring ordinary students – even if our accomplishments do not shine as brightly yet, we should persist in overcoming challenges and staying true to our original aspirations.” Yuming reflected. “This realization has been the most genuine and profound feeling throughout my Ph.D. journey.”
Yuming’s academic path has been a capricious marathon. In 2020, his paper entitled “Dancing on a tightrope: The reputation management of local governments in response to public protests in China” was accepted and published online by the esteemed journal, Public Administration. Even more remarkably, Yuming had invested five years into this paper. To seek feedback from authoritative scholars, Yuming presented the paper at six academic conferences, where he once received a list of carefully handwritten suggestions from an expert. “That moment made me feel the support and encouragement from the academic community,” he shared.
Beyond external feedback, Yuming possessed an intrinsic perfectionism that continuously drove him to refine his work. As he kept building on his existing theoretical knowledge, he would often identify areas in previous drafts that did not meet his own standards. Through countless revisions, he eventually crafted a version that satisfied his discerning eye. Unexpectedly, upon submission, the reviewers requested even more theoretical innovation. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yuming worked from home, battling anxiety and spending sleepless nights grappling with the revisions. Despite the difficulties, he recognized the value of this arduous process. “This experience has taught me the importance of not rushing in any academic research. As long as we remain steadfast in our original aspirations, progress may be gradual but will eventually lead to a focused, comfortable, and fulfilling journey.”
When asked about his “original aspiration”, Yuming jokingly explained that for the specific paper, it was simply to achieve the goal of publication. However, in his broader research field, he aspired to strive to be someone who contributes to society and humanity.
Yuming’s research revolves around public policy on scientific technology, an area closely intertwined with the government and the spirit of the times.He firmly believes that the application of technology should always serve to enhance human well-being. According to Yuming, safeguarding public interests is crucial for a country’s development and stability. More importantly, public interests embody a spirit of modernization. “Concern for public interests is fundamentally a humanistic approach, and humanism is an essential path for society to move towards modernization.”
To truly understand public interests, Yuming advocates for scholars to conduct genuine field research. During his Ph.D. studies, Yuming and his team embarked on extensive investigations in over 40 counties and districts across 16 provinces in China. They aimed to gain insights into how cutting-edge science and technology, such as big data and artificial intelligence, reshape governance models and influence public perceptions. Yuming discovered that social legitimacy, obtained through public acceptance, plays a pivotal role in the sustained and smooth development of such technological applications.
“Previously, we were too eager to catch up with the world leaders in science and technology. This led to a tendency to prioritize efficiency over the experiences and feelings of the general population when promoting new technologies,” said Yuming. He believes that scholars of public management should not only focus on the well-being of the subjects in their academic pursuits but should also strive to care for the general public in their everyday lives. “It is our responsibility to stand up and uphold the fundamental values of public welfare,” Yuming persists.
During his visit to the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Yuming encountered many scholars who are concerned about China's governance of artificial intelligence. “Different countries leaned toward distinct approaches, some focusing on governance, while others emphasized early application,” said Yuming. At that time, however, there was no consensus on the governance model of artificial intelligence in China. After reporting to his advisor, Professor Su Jun, the views of the American scholars, they recognized the need to promptly address this situation by submitting a research report to the relevant state departments.
Wei Yuming at Harvard Kennedy School
Together, Yuming and his advisor produced a policy report proposing a fresh and suitable approach to governing artificial intelligence in China. Their framework involved collecting public usage information and feedback during the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. The report subsequently facilitated the widespread implementation of artificial intelligence social experiments, enabling the seamless transition from theoretical research to practical policy implementation.
Before achieving success in academic research, Yuming went through a disheartening period. In 2017, his application for a visiting scholar program abroad was rejected, coinciding with his mother’s sudden late-stage cancer diagnosis. A year later, he faced another blow when his funding application was unexpectedly declined, and his mother passed away the following day. Looking back, Yuming expressed that these highly similar hardships confirmed the Chinese saying, “Misfortunes never come singly”. However, it was during this period of adversity that Yuming felt he truly matured. Overcoming the cruel realities of life while caring for his mother in the hospital, he came across individuals from all walks of life, including renowned professors and young ballet dancers. He realized that regardless of their past achievements, within the confines of the hospital, they were all equal as patients. Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life, Yuming embraced a newfound acceptance of life’s uncertainties. “I used to question why misfortunes seemed to target me, and it made me critical of people and circumstances,” Yuming admitted. “However, given these experiences, I have become more open-minded, tolerant, and unbreakable.”
Wei Yuming with his advisor, Prof. Su Jun
During moments of doubt and hesitation, it was a sense of responsibility that compelled Yuming to remain steadfast in his pursuit of academic excellence. “I give my utmost effort to everything I do. This sense of responsibility has been ingrained in me since my days as a class monitor in middle school,” said Yuming. Whenever he feels exhausted from the arduous academic path, the unfinished articles and projects remind him of his responsibility, rekindling his motivation. The perfectionism he displays attributes to be a common trait among good students, but it has become an integral part of his character, urging him not only to complete his academic goals but also to bring benefits to the public. “Overall, I get along well with it,” Yuming smiled.
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TsinghuaRen | Wei Yuming: Humanism for the public, perfectionism for himself
Writer: Gao Kejing
Editors: Huang Fei, Gillian Tang
Designers: Gao Kejing, Xia Yifei
Reviewers: Xu Liang, Lin Yuan