28 February 2025

Dear Parents and Students,

Since the beginning of 2025, the hottest topics have undoubtedly been DeepSeek and Ne Zha 2. These two achievements not only represent the pinnacle of technology and culture but also showcase China's global influence in the fields of artificial intelligence and animation.

DeepSeek, a tech startup founded in July 2023, focuses on developing advanced large language models and related technologies. After more than a year of hard work, DeepSeek officially launched the DeepSeek-R1 reasoning model on January 20, 2025. This model costs only one-tenth of the U.S. AI giant ChatGPT but delivers a comparable performance, marking a significant leap forward in AI technology.

As a user, I have deeply experienced the breadth and depth of the content provided by DeepSeek. This technology not only has a profound impact on global society but also brings revolutionary changes to the field of education. For students, traditional learning models are often constrained by the rigidity of school curricula, making it difficult to accommodate individual differences. AI technology, however, can recommend suitable learning materials based on students' progress, interests, and abilities, enabling self-directed learning and broadening academic horizons. When students encounter difficulties with a particular topic, AI can automatically recommend related exercises or video explanations to help them consolidate their knowledge. Additionally, AI language processing technology can evaluate students' essays, providing suggestions on grammar and vocabulary to enrich content and enhance expression.

On the other hand, while there is a plethora of benefits, AI technology also presents some challenges. For example, the instant answers and solutions provided by AI may lead to an over-reliance on technology, reducing opportunities for independent thinking and exploration, thereby weakening critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This dependency may also affect students' confidence and resilience. Furthermore, the application of AI technology involves ethical issues such as privacy protection and plagiarism. In order to reduce the impact that these drawbacks bring, schools must be proactive in strengthening information literacy and moral education to help students recognize and reflect on these issues.

Additionally, Ne Zha 2: The Devil's Fury, released in Chinese theaters on January 29, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Day), broke multiple box office records in mainland China and globally, becoming the highest-grossing animated film worldwide and ranking eighth in global box office history. This animation took five years to produce, involved over 4,000 people, and featured more than 2,400 shots, with over 1,900 being special effects. The film also utilized AI-generated tools to accelerate the creative process, showcasing the top-tier capabilities of China's animation industry.

To celebrate this proud achievement, the Parent-Teacher Association will host a Ne Zha 2 movie appreciation event on March 8, International Women's Day. Please refer to the parent letter for details. This is not only an opportunity to enjoy a film but also a chance to experience the fusion of Chinese culture and technology.

DeepSeek and Ne Zha 2 are two of the most exciting achievements at the beginning of 2025, demonstrating China's global competitiveness in technology and culture. We look forward to more of such innovations and breakthroughs in the future, allowing the world to witness China's wisdom and creativity. We hope students can draw inspiration from these achievements, pursue their dreams bravely, and contribute to the future development of technology and culture!

 

Best regards,
Constance Cheung
Principal