Cai Lei Wins AI Award, ALS Cure Path Found

Cai Lei received the '2026 Special AI Contribution Award' at the China AI Gala. His team's 'AI research brain' for ALS sped up development and found a potential cure in animal tests, including immune rebuilding via bone marrow transplants.

Xiao Liu, a 29-year-old ALS patient testing the new drug RAG-17, stood up from her wheelchair at the event and can now do daily tasks. Cai Lei, typing with his eyes, told the audience his hope is growing.

In 2025, Cai's team worked with over 60 global research groups on nearly 100 ALS projects, helping 15 drug treatments reach clinical trials. The gala also named 10 'AI People of the Year' in fields like robotics and AI chips.