On the morning of March 15, the Graduate School of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and ISGBA jointly held an academic lecture titled “Design Innovation and Human-Machine Integration in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” in Lecture Hall 0120 of the Changgang Campus Teaching Building. Professor Hu Jie, Distinguished Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Director of the Institute of Innovative Design, was invited as the keynote speaker. Dr. Wu Duan, Dean of the Bay Area Institute of Innovation, Dr. Chen Jingsha, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, as well as Liu Zaixing and He Xiayun, Assistant Deans of the Bay Area Institute, attended the event. Faculty representatives and graduate students also participated enthusiastically. The lecture hall was filled to capacity, and the atmosphere was vibrant. The event was moderated by Dr. Wu Duan.

On the evening of January 7, the South Lecture Hall of the University Town Campus at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts hosted an important discussion organized by the Microcity Workshop. The forum focused on the multidimensional reinvention of the city through the integration of photography, accessible art, and human geography. The event was chaired by Associate Professor Katharina Zinn and attracted a large number of faculty and students.

On November 4, 2024, ISGBA, in collaboration with the “Microcity” International Workshop of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, held the fourth lecture of the Freshman Lecture Series. Associate Professor Katharina Zinn from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David delivered a captivating talk titled “Microscopic Urban Life and Grand Narratives — Starting from Egyptian Archaeology.” Professor Wu Duan, Dean of the Institute, along with faculty and student representatives, attended the event. The lecture was moderated by Associate Professor Liu Zaixing, Assistant Dean of the Institute.

The “Microcity” International Workshop, hosted by Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, brings together scholars, PhD candidates, and master’s students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, University of the Arts London, Swansea University, and Birmingham City University. Spanning three campuses of GAFA and centered around the ISGBA, the workshop explores how urban art can engage with the surrounding community environment through field research, artistic interventions, media representation, academic lectures, and exhibitions of creative works.

On October 8, the Bay Area Innovation Institute invited Professor Ben Stopher, Vice President of Norwich University of the Arts, to give a wonderful lecture entitled "Computational Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Creativity and Autonomy" to students. The lecture was hosted by Associate Professor He Xiayun, Assistant Dean of the Bay Area Innovation Institute.

On September 21, the first lecture of the Bay Area Innovation Academy freshman series was officially launched.

On the afternoon of September 21, the Bay Area Innovation Institute held a meeting for the 2024 freshmen in the 900-seat lecture hall of the University Town Campus of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. The meeting aims to strengthen the communication and interaction between professional teachers and freshmen, help students better understand the talent training and operation mechanism of the institute, and make personal academic career plans.