Viral AI Lesson, Ordinary Appearance: Beihang’s Young Professor Sparks a Global Debate on Merit and Image
A young associate professor at Beihang University has gone viral after a video of her teaching generative AI captivated millions. The moment ignited a broader online conversation about whether appearance and age influence how people judge expertise. The professor, He Jing, is in her mid-30s and teaches at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. While the clip drew praise for her teaching, it also triggered scrutiny about looks and credentials, revealing how quickly online discourse can conflate appearance with authority.
In This Article:
Beihang University: Prestige, History, and a Global Footprint
Beihang University (BUAA) was established in 1952 and is among China’s top institutions, specializing in aeronautics and astronautics. It hosts the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences where He Jing teaches. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, BUAA ranks 388 globally and 81 in East Asia, underscoring its standing on the world stage.
The Viral Moment and the Online Debate About Youth and Credentials
He Jing, described as being in her mid-30s, has become the face of a broader discussion about whether youthful appearance and gender shape perceptions of expertise. A video of her teaching generative AI captivated viewers on social media, prompting conversations about merit, credibility, and how women in academia are perceived. In response to the attention, she described herself as ordinary, hoping the focus would stay on ideas and teaching rather than appearance.
Culture, Merit, and the Online Gaze
The episode highlights how online platforms scrutinize women in academia and how youth can be misread as a signal of lesser expertise. It also shows the tension between elite institution prestige and public perception in the age of AI. The story invites readers to rethink what true merit looks like when digital scrutiny can amplify both praise and doubt.
