Held in Hangzhou from October 30 to November 1, the Fourth National Metal Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application Exchange Conference was co-hosted by Hangzhou City University, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Central South University, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, and the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, CAS. Tang Huiping served as conference chair, with Qu Xuanhui, Zhou Kechao, Yi Jianhong, Liao Wenhe, and Pu Jibin as co-chairs. Among the four main topics, 'Powder Preparation for Metal Additive Manufacturing and Development of New Alloy Systems' ranked first, followed by AI-based structural design and process control, microstructure and properties, and technology applications. Plenary talks included Yi Jianhong's 'Research on Titanium Powder Preparation and Its Adaptation in LDED/BJ Forming Processes.' As China's annual academic conference on metal additive manufacturing, its agenda opens with 'powder preparation,' underscoring the upstream position of the powder segment in the industry's technology roadmap—a development worth the attention of powder companies tracking the latest alloy grades and process requirements emerging from academia.