Introduction

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of understanding the global trends in artificial intelligence (AI) development, identifying breakthrough points and key directions, and cultivating a large number of high-end talents in AI with innovative capabilities and a spirit of cooperation. This is a crucial mission for education. China is willing to work with countries around the world to focus on cutting-edge issues in AI development, explore innovative ideas and measures for educational development under the rapid advancement of AI, build consensus, deepen cooperation, and expand sharing to jointly promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Promoting International Cooperation in AI+Education

In the face of opportunities and challenges, strengthening international cooperation in AI education and continuously enhancing the international influence of AI+education is not only a strategic need for building a strong educational nation but also a responsibility to promote a community with a shared future for mankind.

To achieve this, it is essential to create a high-level international exchange flagship platform and establish a long-term cooperation mechanism. On one hand, leveraging existing high-end international platforms, we should enhance the exclusive brand section of AI+education. This can be done by fully utilizing platforms such as the World Digital Education Conference, World Artificial Intelligence Conference, World Digital Education Alliance, World MOOC and Online Education Conference, and China International Education Annual Conference. High-profile thematic side meetings or forums on AI+education should be organized, showcasing China’s advanced concepts, mature technologies, and practical products to attract top universities, research institutions, and technology companies worldwide, creating an international effect of cross-industry integration between the education and industry sectors.

On the other hand, efforts should be made to shift international exchanges from being event-driven to mechanism-driven. Under the guidance of the international exchange flagship platform, a transnational AI+education international organization should be established, along with a secretariat and other permanent institutions, to create a regular meeting, joint release, and information-sharing mechanism. Through normalized arrangements, international exchanges can achieve “deep docking” and continuously expand China’s “circle of friends” in the global AI education field.

Engaging in Global Education Governance

Actively promoting policy communication and standard alignment is crucial for deep participation in global education governance. Standards are the core of global governance and a key point of contention. To enhance international influence in the AI+education field, it is essential to go beyond mere technology export and deeply integrate into the global education governance system, showcasing China’s commitment in policy communication and standard alignment.

First, proactive efforts should be made to build bridges for policy dialogue, gathering international consensus on AI+education development. The application of AI in education comes with risks and challenges such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and academic ethics, with varying regulatory standards across countries. Utilizing multilateral mechanisms like UNESCO, China should actively initiate or participate in policy dialogues for global governance in AI education. Honest communication at the policy level can reduce misunderstandings, effectively prevent misjudgments, and showcase China’s image as a responsible major power.

Second, efforts should be made to promote mutual recognition of standards and joint formulation, enhancing China’s substantive discourse power in rule-making. Focusing on key areas such as AI education model interface specifications, education data classification standards, and technical requirements for intelligent teaching terminals, domestic leading enterprises and research institutions should be encouraged to engage with international standardization organizations. The goal is not only to promote the international acceptance of Chinese standards but also to advocate for the joint drafting of new international standards by Chinese and foreign experts. By leading or participating in standard formulation, China can transform its significant practices derived from massive educational data into globally applicable rules, thereby enhancing the Chinese imprint in the foundational logic of AI+education and shifting from being a “follower” of rules to a “leader” in rule-making.

Capacity Building and Resource Sharing

Vigorously conducting international cooperation training for capacity building is essential to ensure that quality resources “go out”. The ultimate goal of enhancing international influence is to genuinely benefit people from all countries, especially helping countries in the Global South bridge the intelligence gap. To implement the global development initiative, it is important to enhance the quality and efficiency of AI+education cooperation, adhering to the principle of “teaching a person to fish” through a dual approach of capacity building and resource export.

On one hand, it is crucial to accurately meet international needs by vigorously conducting training for AI teachers and governance capacity building. Countries in the Global South often face a significant shortcoming in their educational digitalization process, not due to a lack of equipment but due to a shortage of teachers who can master AI technology and education managers who understand technology. It is necessary to integrate expert resources from top domestic teacher training universities and leading AI companies to establish training centers focused on international AI education capacity building. By implementing a combination of “going out” training and “inviting in” workshops, a batch of localized “seed teachers” who understand technology, can teach, and are good at management should be cultivated to activate their endogenous development momentum.

On the other hand, quality should be prioritized, systematically promoting high-quality AI+education resources and public service platforms to the world. In the process of resource export, it is essential not to simply translate domestic Chinese resources but to deeply localize them according to the curriculum standards, cultural context, and religious customs of the target countries. Key efforts should focus on exporting high-quality domestic educational models, virtual simulation experiment platforms, intelligent adaptive learning systems, and other “hardcore” resources, while providing comprehensive technical operation and maintenance support. By offering high-quality resources and a good user experience, overseas teachers and students can tangibly feel the warmth and effectiveness of China’s AI+education products, enhancing the global reputation of Chinese educational technology and cultivating a loyal user base.