Multi-Modal and World Model Symposium 2026

August 15th - 16th, 2026
Location: CUHK

CUHK Campus (photo from CUHK website)

Multi-Modal and World Model Symposium 2026

The Multi-Modal and World Model Symposium 2026 brings together leading researchers to discuss the latest advances in Multimodal Large Models, Computer Vision, and World Models, which are increasingly recognized as a key foundation for Physical AI and embodied intelligence.

Hosted by LaVi Lab, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the two-day symposium will feature multiple keynote talks, invited presentations, and panel discussions from a distinguished lineup of internationally recognized scholars spanning computer vision, machine learning, multimodal AI, and embodied intelligence. By bringing together experts from diverse yet closely connected research areas, the symposium aims to provide a high-impact platform for exploring cutting-edge developments and emerging trends in next-generation AI.

Join us at CUHK to gain insights from world-class researchers and engage with the latest progress shaping the future of multimodal intelligence and World Models.

Registration

Abstract

In recent years, multimodal large models and World Models have witnessed rapid advancements. Among them, World Models—with their ability to infer physical laws and predict dynamic environments—are widely regarded as a critical technological pathway toward Physical AI and embodied intelligence.

While current research routes on World Models are diverse and flourishing, human cognition suggests that our deep understanding of and interaction with the environment largely stem from the continuous input and perceptual accumulation of multimodal information, particularly vision. Consequently, computer vision (CV) and multimodal technologies play a vital role in the construction and evolution of World Models.

For this symposium, we have invited academic experts from various research directions to focus on and discuss the interplay among computer vision, and World Models.

Program Schedule

        Venue: Room CYT LT1B, Cheng Yu Tung Building, CUHK

August 15 (Morning Session)
9:00 - 9:15 Welcome and Opening Speech
9:15 - 10:00
David Forsyth David Forsyth (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), Keynote Talk
10:05 - 10:35
Jiajun Wu Jiajun Wu (Stanford University), Online Talk
10:40 - 11:10
Xiaojuan Qi Xiaojuan Qi (The University of Hong Kong)
11:15 - 11:45
Manling Li Manling Li (Northwestern University), Online Talk
August 15 (Afternoon Session)
14:00 - 14:45
Xiaoming Liu Xiaoming Liu (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Keynote Talk
14:50 - 15:20
Alex Schwing Alex Schwing (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
15:25 - 15:55
Jiajun Zhang Jiajun Zhang (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Online Talk
16:00 - 16:30
Xinggang Wang Xinggang Wang (Huazhong University of Science and Technology)
16:35 - 17:05
David Wipf David Wipf (The University of Hong Kong)
17:10 - 17:40
Guoliang Xing Guoliang Xing (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
17:45 - 18:15 Panel Discussion
August 16 (Morning Session)
9:00 - 9:45
Mohit Bansal Mohit Bansal (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Keynote Talk, Online Talk
9:50 - 10:20
Mengye Ren Mengye Ren (New York University), Online Talk
10:25 - 10:55
Bolei Zhou Bolei Zhou (University of California Los Angeles), Online Talk
11:00 - 11:30
Huaizu Jiang Huaizu Jiang (Northeastern University), Online Talk
11:35 - 12:05
Qifeng Chen Qifeng Chen (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
August 16 (Afternoon Session)
14:00 - 14:45
Zhuowen Tu Zhuowen Tu (University of California San Diego), Keynote Talk, Online Talk
14:50 - 15:20
Qi Dou Qi Dou (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
15:25 - 15:55
Fei Miao Fei Miao (Zhejiang University), Online Talk
16:00 - 16:30
Ping Luo Ping Luo (The University of Hong Kong)
16:35 - 17:05
Long Chen Long Chen (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
17:10 - 18:00
Liwei Wang Liwei Wang (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
18:05 - 18:25 Closing Remarks

Organizer

Liwei Wang

Liwei Wang, LaVi Lab, Computer Science and Engineering Department at CUHK.

Location

The Cheng Yu Tung Building (鄭裕彤樓) is located right next to the University MTR Station and Hyatt Hotel.

From University Station:
Exit via University MTR Station Exit B, follow the walkway on your right to enter the Cheng Yu Tung Building.

From Hyatt Hotel:
Go to the Ground floor (one level down from the hotel Lobby), walk across the parking lot, and follow the walkway on your left to enter the Cheng Yu Tung Building.