I am very pleased to welcome you to the 18th International Conference on Management Science and Engineering Management, hosted by Universiti Malaya. Your presence here shows your dedication to advancing our field, and I am very thankful for your participation.

Right now, generative AI, represented by large language models, is greatly influencing the development and changes in our society. It has shown great potential, but still faces challenges like the risk of decentralized data interaction, the complexity of diverse data, the model collapse when trained on recursively generated data, and uneven investment in the AI industry. To address these challenges, Management Science and Engineering Management can play a big role. This includes creating a decentralized data system based on a hyper-organization structure following the principle of data resource control, promoting a new math modeling-driven generative AI approach using Integrated Mega Models based on the rules for data effectiveness and model accuracy, mitigating model collapse by diversifying the training data based on non-collinear data eigen-factors, and achieving balanced investment strategies through fair policy mechanisms with the theory of balanced allocation of resources. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and regulatory frameworks, Management Science and Engineering Management can help generative AI reach its full potential in a sustainable and ethical way.

One of the key future areas for Management Science and Engineering Management should be the research and use of Integrated Mega Models. A generalized Integrated Mega Model refers to a system with a large number of parameters, complex structures, a range of problems with similar properties, groups of models, chains of theories, clusters of algorithms, and cloud platforms. The core issues for developing the Integrated Mega Model involves system design, algorithm innovation, and case generation. It has the potential to revolutionize generative AI by significantly reducing the amount of training data needed, enhancing training efficiency, lowering training costs, and reducing the dependency on computational power. The current literature is short of the theoretical essentials and applications of the Integrated Mega Models which need to be thoroughly explored with the support of the Management Science and Engineering Management academic communities in a way of academic correctness with a scientific spirit.

This year, our conference is aligned with the latest research trends, focusing on data analysis, digital operations, data-driven modeling, and AI-enabled operations research and applications. Our goal is to integrate these advanced domains with the traditional areas of Management Science and Engineering Management, fostering new ideas and innovations.

To this end, we have introduced two new forums: "AI-enabled Operations Research Education and Teaching Practice" and "AI-driven Operations Research Methodology and Applications." These forums are dedicated to advancing the field of operations research with a special focus on AI-enabled education, exploring how we can train the next generation of high-level operations research talent. At the same time, we aim to innovate by exploring the potential and uses of combining artificial intelligence with operations research methods.

Additionally, we continue to host the forum titled "The Art of Publishing High-Quality Research in MSEM Journals." This forum includes data analysis and ranking of scientific journals related to Management Science and Engineering Management, helping researchers identify and invest in the most promising and cutting-edge fields. It also helps academic institutions and researchers more accurately assess the academic value of their work, ensuring more transparent and fair journal evaluations, and helping emerging journals gain the recognition they deserve.

Our conference places great importance on international exchange, which is crucial for academic communication and the sharing of ideas. This year, we have accepted 116 papers from 25 countries, with international collaborative manuscripts making up 78% of the total. We are also privileged to have nine distinguished academicians and professors from various countries delivering keynote speeches. We hope these speeches will inspire you and that you will find the forums engaging and enriching.

The conference city, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a vibrant and diverse city known for its unique blend of cultures. Locals are known for their hospitality and friendliness. The city's landmarks, such as the Petronas Twin Towers, and bustling markets like Petaling Street, showcase a mix of modernity and tradition. Food is a significant part of Kuala Lumpur's culture, with street food and night markets offering a variety of flavors. The multicultural atmosphere is celebrated in events like Chinese New Year, making it a dynamic and welcoming place.

Finally, I am extremely grateful for the support and dedication of Universiti Malaya, the secretary team of the conference, and the many individuals who have contributed significantly to making this conference possible. Please allow me to extend my deep thanks to them. I hope all participants will find the technical sessions stimulating, enjoy reconnecting with friends and colleagues, and take part in the wonderful discussions that this conference promises.

Thank you!

Prof. Dr. Dr. Jiuping Xu

General Chair

President of the International Society of Management Science and Engineering Management

Academician of International Academy for Systems and Cybernetic Sciences

Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics and Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry

August 6, 2024