In recent years, AI for Science, and in particular the development of Physical AI, has been driving the rapid emergence of embodied AI systems, including physical AI robots, and their wide-ranging applications. In response to this trend, the chemistry community needs to engage more proactively and work together to advance AI in Chemistry.

On the one hand, chemical research itself urgently needs to be empowered by AI in order to accelerate innovation across the field. On the other hand, many applications in embodied intelligence also depend fundamentally on chemistry. For example, future intelligent robots capable of smell, taste, and environmental perception will rely heavily on highly sensitive, multidimensional, and readily integrated chemical detection and sensing technologies. Therefore, the integration of AI and chemistry is not only transforming the way chemical research is conducted, but will also provide essential material foundations and sensing capabilities for the development of future intelligent systems.

Xiamen University has been an early mover in Chemical AI. In 2022, Xiamen University and Peking University jointly established the Joint Laboratory on AI for Electrochemistry in Xiamen. In recent years, we have made a series of exciting advances in AI-empowered energy chemistry, synthetic chemistry, theoretical and computational chemistry, chemical measurement, and instrumentation. Through these efforts, we have also formed a team of young researchers with a deep understanding of the integration of chemistry, AI, data science and automation.

As a co-chair of this conference, and on behalf of the local organising committee comprising these young researchers, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Royal Society of Chemistry for its trust in bringing RSC FIRST 2026 to Xiamen University, set within one of the most beautiful campuses in China. We warmly welcome chemists from around the world, together with experts in AI, automation, and intelligent robotics, to gather in Xiamen. We very much look forward to this meeting serving as a catalyst for in-depth exchange, broad collaboration, and collective innovation in the era of AI–Chemistry convergence.

I am delighted that the RSC FIRST 2026 conference is hosted in Xiamen, not only because the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Xiamen University there is a significant place of learning and innovation on the global stage, but because it shows that AI for Chemistry has joined the growing number of academic fields in which China plays a leading role in the international network of excellence. This position for China in general and Xiamen in particular is to be valued, treasured, and nurtured in the coming years.

Given the organisers and plenary speakers, I know that it is these people I want to listen to in order to learn what is important now in this fast evolving field.