Abstract: Against the backdrop of AI technology reshaping the industrial structure and talent demand landscape, the cultivation of innovative talents in application-oriented universities is facing challenges of relevance. This paper analyzes the current problems in talent cultivation, including the misalignment between training objectives and industrial needs, curricula lagging behind technological development, a lack of authenticity in practical scenarios, and insufficient AI literacy among faculty. Consequently, it constructs an AI-empowered cultivation system from four dimensions: training objectives, curriculum system, practical teaching, and faculty development. Practical pathways are proposed, such as AI-integrated modular teaching scenarios, industry-university collaborative innovation practice platforms, and AI-enabled dynamic quality monitoring. The aim is to provide support for application-oriented universities in meeting the talent cultivation demands of the AI era.

Key words: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Application-oriented universities, Cultivation of innovative talents, Talent cultivation system, Practical pathways, University classroom learning