On April 22, the “Bai-Qinxian University Lecture by Overseas Prestigious Scholars” was held at the Puhe Campus of Liaoning University (LNU). Professor Daniel Trefler, from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, Canada, was invited to deliver an academic report titled “The Masters of Scale: AI and The Future of International Trade”. Yu Miaojie, President of LNU, attended the lecture. The lecture was hosted by Li Yupeng, Vice President of LNU.

During the lecture, Professor Trefler pointed out that artificial intelligence is transforming the global economy — not only disrupting cutting-edge industries but also reshaping the winners and losers in international trade. He reviewed the historical process through which scalable technologies have increasingly concentrated economic and political power, tracing the arc from Wall Street’s financial revolution to today’s AI giants in China and the United States. The lecture explored a central paradox: while AI brings the promise of productivity and innovation, it also carries the risk of deepening AI monopolies, weakening political accountability, and eroding social cohesion. Drawing on the latest research, Professor Trefler analyzed the implications of this paradox for the future of international trade, including the rise of AI companies such as DeepSeek, the globalization of mobile applications like TikTok, and the difficulties of coordinating AI regulation across countries.

During the interactive session, faculty and students enthusiastically asked questions on topics such as the geopolitical competition between China and the US in AI, the development trends of AI technology, challenges in AI regulation, and the impact on labor markets. Professor Trefler provided detailed answers, offering unique insights based on cutting-edge international research and practical cases, creating a vibrant academic atmosphere. After the lecture, the university presented Professor Trefler with a certificate of appreciation for the “Bai-Qinxian University Lecture by Overseas Prestigious Scholars”, along with a university emblem, a university cap, a commemorative photo, and a commemorative USB drive.

The lecture was organized by the Division of Economics at LNU and hosted by the School of Economics, with over 200 faculty and student representatives from units under the Division of Economics in attendance.