SMART EDUCATION IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT: EXPERTS DISCUSS AI-DRIVEN TRANSFORMATION IN HIGHER LEARNING
The Global Smart Education Network on Friday, 28th February, 2025 brought together leading scholars and education experts to discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming higher education. The event, as part of Global Context Webinar Series, featured distinguished professors and researchers who explored how AI-driven solutions are reshaping learning environments, policy development and research methodologies worldwide.
AI as a Transformative Tool in Education
Professor Elijah Omwenga of the Open University of Kenya (OUK) emphasized the transformative power of AI in accessing and disseminating knowledge. He highlighted the numerous opportunities AI presents in academia, including enhanced teaching methods, curriculum development and student engagement. According to him, OUK has already drafted a framework to integrate AI and other digital technologies into teaching and learning. He noted that faculty members are being trained on these innovations and the draft policy will soon be formalized to guide AI adoption across the institution.
“AI provides a window of opportunities for the future,” he remarked, adding that it has revolutionized how work is done in academia and beyond.
AI’s Impact on Education and Industry
Professor Yang Junfeng of Hangzhou Normal University, China, outlined how AI is transforming the education sector and industries, offering innovative solutions to various challenges. He cited Tsinghua University as a pioneering institution utilizing a 100-billion AI model that supports multiple disciplines, public research and automated learning tools. Some of the advancements he mentioned include:
- Automatic question generation
- AI-powered research and computation
- Real-time monitoring and AI-driven evaluation systems
- Data-driven governance in education
- AI applications in agriculture, such as data sensing and digital farming design
These innovations, he noted, are reshaping learning and research while enhancing institutional efficiency.
AI and Human Interaction in Education
Dr. Francesc Pedró, Director of the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean, provided insights into UNESCO’s efforts to leverage AI for improving human interaction in education. He noted that AI is addressing key educational challenges, including:
- Linguistic support for multilingual learning
- Cognitive assistance to support diverse learning needs
- Time efficiency in education management and content delivery
Dr. Pedró further highlighted California State University’s AI initiatives, which focus on evolving assessment strategies, expanding access to education and fostering immersive learning experiences. He emphasized that AI’s future in education is promising particularly in:
- Policy creation
- Ethical AI integration in education
- Human-centered approaches to AI development
The Future of AI in Higher Education
As the discussions concluded, it became evident that AI is revolutionizing higher education, offering innovative solutions for teaching, governance and research. Experts agreed on the need for institutions to develop policies that ensure the ethical and effective integration of AI. With AI’s potential to enhance learning experiences, improve institutional efficiency and bridge educational gaps, its role in shaping the future of education is undeniable.
The Webinar reinforced the urgency of embracing AI in education while ensuring that its implementation remains inclusive, ethical and human-centered. Institutions worldwide are now challenged to adopt AI-driven solutions to remain competitive and relevant in an increasingly digital world.