THE Global AI Forum drives dialogue on future of AI in higher education
Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining the education landscape, offering new opportunities and challenges for higher education institutions worldwide. Over 200 delegates, including university presidents, leading academics and thought leaders from more than 20 countries and regions converged at the Times Higher Education (THE) Global AI Forum on “Higher education in the AI era” (the Forum) co-hosted by PolyU and THE.
The Forum was graced by the presence of Ms Wu Cheng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Dr Jeff Sze, Acting Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government; Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC); Ms Simone Dilena, President (Asia Pacific) of THE; and Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President as the officiating guests.
“The HKSAR Government’s Committee on Education, Technology and Talents aims to drive the integrated development of these areas, expand connections and formulate policies that attract and cultivate high-calibre talents while fostering the development of technologies.”
~ Dr Jeff Sze, Acting Secretary for Education, HKSAR Government
“To fully harness the opportunities in this new era, it is time for us to join hands, not only for the advancement of higher education but also for the benefits of the broader community as well.”
~ Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of UGC
“As an innovative world-class university, PolyU prioritises nurturing leaders for the AI era, and was the first in the world to integrate compulsory AI education into the undergraduate curriculum.”
~ Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President of PolyU
“AI has been idling along quietly in our lives for some time, but two years ago it shifted gears, roared to life, hit the accelerator button and began to transform the higher education landscape.”
~ Ms Simone Dilena, President (Asia Pacific) of THE
Leveraging AI partnerships for innovation and inclusion
Eleven distinguished speakers from higher education institutions in Hong Kong, the Mainland, and abroad participated in two presidential chats. They discussed AI’s impact on leadership, best practices, ethical considerations, and education-industry collaboration. They also highlighted how universities aim to leverage AI to foster innovation and inclusion through partnerships, enhance teaching and research, as well as support students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Examining China's rapid AI progress
In light of China's significant advancements in AI, the fireside chat featured leading AI experts discussing the Nation’s advancement in large language models, examining opportunities, challenges, and implementations for global innovation.
The Forum’s four plenary sessions explored AI’s role in education, research, innovation, and social good. Projects from PolyU scholars were showcased at the venue, including AI technologies for education, a low-cost food quality detection system, and generative AI for tutoring. Delegates toured advanced teaching facilities, including the “Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment” (HiVE), the world’s first six-sided Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) setting, the Aviation Services Research Centre (ASRC); and the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), exploring technologies to enhance learning and research outcomes.
PolyU is committed to advancing AI education and research, including the establishment of the new Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025. This strategic development will help strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international innovation and technology centre.
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