On April 4, 2026, Shanghai Jiao Tong University held a special donation appreciation ceremony. According to an official WeChat announcement, MiHoYo co-founder, President, and Chairman Liu Wei, representing the founding team including Cai Haoyu and Luo Yuhao, collectively donated to their alma mater, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The funds are specifically designated for the university's "AI Future Foundation."
The ceremony was attended by university leaders, including President Ding Kuiling, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and representatives from relevant departments. This contribution provides substantial support from distinguished alumni entrepreneurs to the "AI Future Foundation," which aims to bolster strategic initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence.
The foundation has clear objectives: leveraging the resources of Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Artificial Intelligence, it will focus on supporting the university's overall strategic layout in AI. This includes attracting top scholars, cultivating AI talent, and advancing research and development in various "AI+" interdisciplinary fields. Key research areas of focus for the foundation include brain-computer interfaces, controlled nuclear fusion, cloud gaming, and artificial general intelligence—cutting-edge domains requiring long-term investment.
The three donors, Liu Wei, Cai Haoyu, and Luo Yuhao, are all alumni of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Liu Wei earned his bachelor's degree in Information Engineering in 2005 and a master's in Communication and Information Systems in 2009. Two decades ago, the trio, who lived in the same dormitory building, bonded over a shared passion for "ACG" (Anime, Comics, and Games) culture. Their journey began with winning a silver medal in a entrepreneurship competition, which led to receiving a 100,000 yuan interest-free loan from the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission. They officially established MiHoYo in a 50-square-meter office.
In the early days, the team had clear divisions of labor and worked closely together. Liu Wei managed the company's daily operations, even serving as a "customer service representative" to communicate with players. Cai Haoyu and Luo Yuhao handled both planning and programming, concentrating on product refinement and technological breakthroughs. Starting with the "Honkai Impact" series and achieving global success with "Genshin Impact," MiHoYo grew from a university dormitory project into a digital content company with worldwide influence.
From students harboring a dream that "tech-savvy enthusiasts can save the world" to becoming donors supporting frontier exploration in AI, the founding team's contribution is not only an expression of gratitude to their alma mater but also a long-term commitment to fundamental research and future talent development. This donation will assist Shanghai Jiao Tong University in pooling resources and deepening research in the critical strategic field of artificial intelligence, providing sustained momentum for tackling major scientific challenges related to humanity's future.
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