Summit explores evolution of higher education in the era of AI

While artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to address big challenges in education, its associated challenges and risks have garnered widespread attention. With this focus, the 2023 International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Global Partners Summit kicked off at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) on Thursday.

Over 100 Chinese guests and about 90 overseas guests from 28 countries in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Europe attended the summit, which is scheduled to close Saturday.

Guests attended the summit on Thursday. Courtesy of SUSTech

Themed “Transforming Higher Education in the Age of AI,” the summit aims to bring together global education leaders, policymakers, experts, scholars, industry professionals, and corporate entities to explore the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to higher education.

Discussions during the summit cover AI’s impact on higher education governance and policies at national and institutional levels, as well as transformative changes in educators’ professional development.

Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, a professor from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, told Shenzhen Daily that “the development of AI raised new thinking in the education field. For example, how students can continuously sharpen their thinking by not relying on AI and how teachers can guide students to think independently and that’s why the summit is significant. We need global dialogues and exchange of ideas in this regard.”

A noteworthy development at the summit is the release of a white paper on higher education in the era of AI, scheduled for Friday noon.

Co-authored by the International Center for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO and external experts, the white paper will delve into the effective use of AI in higher education teaching and management. It presents potential solutions and advocates for collaboration among higher education stakeholders to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education, as well as lifelong learning opportunities for all.