Onsite Seminar on Exploring AI and Sustainability in Education: GEC July Faculty Meeting Recap

On July 18th, GEC Academy successfully hosted a series of impactful onsite seminars in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, forming a vital part of the iHUB research program. These seminars aimed to advance the academic discourse at the intersection of AI, education, and sustainability, emphasizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of learning. Seventeen distinguished teaching faculty members and professors contributed their expertise as guest speakers, engaging with an audience of iHUB students who are poised to be the next generation of innovators in these critical fields. 

As a mark of the cooperation initiative between the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at Cambridge University and ASI Global, we were honored to have Professor Steven Watson from DEFI as a special guest speaker in the Shenzhen seminar, sharing his cutting-edge insights on the integration of AI and education. This partnership aims to foster international exchange and innovation in the fields of AI and education.

• AI Empowering Education: Innovation and Future in Shenzhen & Beijing

 Faculty meetings in Shenzhen and Beijing

The Shenzhen seminar on "AI Empowering Education: Innovation and Future" was moderated by Ms. Wendy Wang, Co-founder of GEC Academy and Secretary General of ASI Global. In Beijing, Ms. Hui Xu, Co-founder and Director of the Academic Committee of GEC Academy, led the session. Both seminars brought together professors from diverse fields, such as Computer and Data Science, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Social Sciences, and Nutrition. The discussions addressed three critical issues concerning the integration of AI in education: (1) the current and potential applications of AI in teaching and course preparation; (2) the impact of AI on educational equity, specifically whether it is narrowing or exacerbating resource gaps; (3) the ethical implications of AI use in student assignments.

The seminars explored how AI is reshaping education, from innovative teaching methods to equitable resource distribution, and the potential of educational technology to tackle global issues. The use of tools like ChatGPT as learning assistants and their roles in college applications sparked extensive debate. Additionally, the application of AI in writing, filmmaking, and the creative industries was also mentioned, illustrating how technology revitalizes art and creativity. Despite the opportunities AI presents to education, the importance of critical thinking when using new technologies and the educators' role in guiding students on the proper use of AI was also emphasized.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the presentation by Professor Steven Watson from DEFI at Cambridge University. He discussed AI's profound impact on the future of education and advocated for interdisciplinary collaboration to utilize educational technology in addressing global challenges like social inclusion and climate change. Professor Watson stressed the importance of AI literacy, encompassing both technical skills and an awareness of broader societal impacts. He concluded by calling for a balanced integration of innovative AI with traditional educational practices.

 Insightful Q&A sessions

• Zero-Carbon Campus: Education Leading the Green Future in Shanghai

Faculty meeting in Shanghai

At the seminar in Shanghai, hosted by Tracy Zhou, Associate Director of the Academic Management Team at GEC Academy, the focus was on sustainability. Guest speakers from renowned universities in fields related to Civil Engineering and Business discussed the feasibility of achieving a zero-carbon campus and the initiatives that prestigious institutions are undertaking to reach this goal. There were also lively debates on whether a bottom-up or top-down approach is more effective for implementation. Additionally, they offered unique perspectives on strategies for integrating sustainable development into the curriculum.

Please kindly reach out to your academic manager if you need the recording of the meeting.