Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome you to the 31st International Applied Geochemistry Symposium (IAGS 2026) . This gathering holds profound significance for our community, not only for the remarkable science we will share but also as a historic moment — this marks the second time this conference series has been held in Asia, after 33 years. The last time was a generation ago in China. Today, we return to a transformed nation and a transformed scientific landscape.

Current Science with AI: A New Frontier for Geochemistry

We stand at an extraordinary crossroads. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into Earth system science is no longer a promise of the future — it is the reality of the present. From my work leading the Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) Big Science Program, the DDE Frontier Science Center, and the State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, I have witnessed firsthand how AI is revolutionizing our field. We are moving from empirical descriptions to quantitative predictions, from sparse sampling to multi-modal big data integration, and from human-driven hypothesis generation to AI-augmented discovery. Scientific Foundation Models — such as AlphaFold, GraphCast, and AlphaEarth — are now capable of integrating observational, experimental, analytical, and simulated data to decode the intrinsic laws of natural geological processes and enable precise structural, temporal, and spatial predictions.

Three Key Themes for Our Gathering

First, we should embrace AI as a partner, not merely a tool. AI is not simply a computational accelerator but a collaborative partner in scientific reasoning, capable of identifying non-linear causal relationships and designing novel experiments. Second, we should recognize data as a common language. The future of geochemistry depends on open, FAIR data(Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). Several initiatives like DDE are building the digital infrastructure to harmonize our discipline across time, space, and scales. Third, and most personally meaningful, this is our return to Asia, 33 years later. Hosting this conference in China once again is deeply meaningful. Our scientific community has grown tremendously, and our commitment to international collaboration has never been stronger. Let this gathering be a bridge between generations and between geochemical traditions worldwide.

A Personal Welcome

Over my career — from receiving the William Christian Krumbein Medal, the highest honor of the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences, to the Gold Medal of the Association of Applied Geochemists — I have learned that our greatest discoveries emerge not from individual brilliance, but from collective curiosity and cross-disciplinary trust. This conference embodies that spirit.

Welcome to China. Welcome to the IAGS 2026. Let us shape the next 33 years of geochemistry together.

With warm regards,

Prof. Qiuming Cheng

IAGS 2026 Chair

Conference Chair: Prof. Qiuming Cheng

Academician Prof. Qiuming Cheng currently is a professor and founding director of the State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, the Chief scientist and founding director of Deep-time Digital Earth Frontier Science Center, China University of Geosciences (Beijing). Prof. Cheng is the former president of the International Association for Mathematical Geosciences (IAMG), and the past president of International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). Prof. Cheng was awarded the Andrei Borisovich Vstelius Research Award, William Christian Krumbein Medal, the highest award by IAMG, and Gold Medal, the highest award by the Association of Applied Geochemists (AAG).

Organization Committee

The organizing committee will manage the logistical and administrative tasks for IAGS 2026, ensuring a smooth conference experience. They will handle event coordination, scheduling, and participant registration. Working closely with the scientific committee, they will ensure the successful execution of the conference program.