The 16th ASEF Classroom Network Conference, themed “Leading the Change: Digital Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence in Education,” was held in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, from November 12th to 16th. Professor Huang Ronghuai, the UNESCO Chair on AI in Education and Co-Dean of the Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University, was invited to attend the conference. The conference aimed to empower participants with essential awareness, skills, and strategies related to artificial intelligence and education, in order to facilitate the effective integration of AI innovation in schools across Asia and Europe. The event was organized by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in collaboration with the UNESCO International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) and received support from the Slovenian government.
As a invited speaker, Prof. HUANG Ronghuai delivered a keynote speech titled “Smart Learning in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Innovation Potential and Pitfalls” at the conference. In his speech, he explored the application and challenges of artificial intelligence technology in the field of smart learning, while sharing China’s innovative practices and achievements in smart education. Additionally, Professor Huang participated in the panel on “Current Status and Key Issues of Artificial Intelligence and Education in the Asia-Europe Region,” engaging in discussions with experts and scholars from Asia and Europe regarding the integration and development of artificial intelligence in education.
During the conference, Prof. Huang meet with Professor John Shawe-Taylor, the Director of the UNESCO International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), and Professor Wayne Holmes from University College London, United Kingdom.
During the conference, Prof. HUANG Ronghuai was invited to visit the Ministry of Education in Slovenia. They had fruitful discussions with government officials, including Ms. Janja Zupancic, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Igor Pesek from the Department of Digital Education, and Dr. Borut Campelj. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including the development trends in smart education, policy-making, and practical applications. Professor Huang Ronghuai and State Secretary Janja Zupancic engaged in discussions specifically related to digital education, and they reached a consensus on potential future cooperation directions.
Prof. Huang also held discussions with scholars including Prof. Dejan Ravšelj from the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Boris Aberšek from the University of Maribor, and Professor Andrej Flogie. They explored the development directions of smart
education, research hotspots, and potential collaborative research projects in the future.
