How is voice technology shaping tomorrow's world? From October 16 to 19, 2025, nearly 500 researchers, engineers, and academics gathered in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, to explore exactly that at the 20th National Conference on Man-Machine Speech Communication (NCMMSC 2025).

Under the theme “Voices Echo in an Ancient City, Intelligence Inspires the Future of Speech,” the conference brought together experts from universities, research institutes, and industry across China. Attendees dove into cutting-edge topics such as speech communication, human-computer interaction, and multimodal intelligence across four days of vibrant exchange.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Mao Qirong, Dean of the College of Computer Science and Communication Engineering at Jiangsu University. Professor Ren Xudong, Vice President of Jiangsu University, delivered a welcome address, extending a warm greeting to all participants. Professor Zheng Fang of Tsinghua University, Conference Chair, and Professor Zhang Jinsong of Beijing Language and Culture University, Chair of the NCMMSC Standing Committee, also addressed the audience, highlighting the evolving landscape of speech technology.

Featuring keynotes, tutorials, youth forums, industry panels, and educational sessions, the conference covered wide-ranging areas including speech science, speech technology, audio processing, and dialogue systems. Distinguished speakers such as Daniel Povey, Chief Speech Scientist at Xiaomi, Professor Yu Kai of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Associate Professor Liu Zhiyuan of Tsinghua University shared groundbreaking insights and future visions for the field.

The conference not only fostered meaningful academic dialogue and collaboration but also strengthened Jiangsu University’s visibility and influence in speech and AI research, contributing fresh momentum to interdisciplinary innovation and talent development.