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EdUHK Holds Launching Ceremony of Artificial Intelligence Research and Education Alliance (AIREA) Promoting Educational Innovation
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held an AI and Education Forum cum Launching Ceremony of Artificial Intelligence Research and Education Alliance (AIREA) on 16 September. In response to the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors, EdUHK has established AIREA by collaborating with experts and professionals from renowned universities, research centres, and industry entities worldwide. Its aim is to enhance global collaboration on research, drive innovation, and advance AI technologies in the education sector, fostering a more inclusive and responsible AI research and education ecosystem.
The launching ceremony of AIREA was officiated by EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, Vice President (Academic) Professor May Cheng May-hung, Professor Xu Guandong, Director of Centre for Learning, Teaching, and Technology (LTTC) and the Director of University Research Facility of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (UDSAI), senior management of EdUHK and distinguished guest speakers.
In his welcoming address, Professor Lee pointed out the importance of developing AI in the field of education, as its application has become widespread in society. The University aims to prepare future educators who can adapt to the evolving demands of industry, embracing cutting-edge tools while remaining mindful of the ethical implications and traditional virtues that ground the educators’ work. He also stated that the most important requirements for developing AI were facilities with computing power, high-quality data, and experts proficient in the field of AI. “Establishing AIREA is just the beginning, EdUHK is determined to continue integrating AI into educational applications, bringing greater impact to the development of the country and the Hong Kong SAR,” said Professor Lee.
Professor Cheng highlighted the University’s various initiatives to leverage innovative technologies, including establishing the Large Language Model Studio (LLM Studio) to create in-house AI tools, benefitting both students and teachers. “We will continue to explore more innovative measures to ensure EdUHK remains at the forefront of educational innovation while upholding the highest standards of academic quality and integrity.” she remarked.
Professor Xu extended his gratitude to all participants for supporting this initiative. He emphasised that the establishment of AIREA marked a significant milestone in the development of AI education. He believes that creating a collaborative platform is crucial for fostering innovative thinking and providing solutions to the challenges and opportunities faced in the education sector. Professor Xu sincerely invited all distinguished guests to join AIREA and become part of the effort to advance AI education and research.
On the same day, AIREA held a forum on AI and education, which included three talks hosted by distinguished scholars. The lectures were given by Professor Lionel Ni Ming-shuan, Founding President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and Chair Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST, Professor Zhang Min, Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Technology at Tsinghua University, and Professor Gong Zhiguo, Head of the Department of Computer and Information Science at University of Macau. Additionally, a panel discussion entitled ‘Navigating AI in Education: Opportunities and Challenges’ was held to explore the role of AI in education.
With the rapid development of AI, its impact on issues such as professional ethics and morality, data privacy, and the well-being of students and teachers has become increasingly concerning. Through AIREA, EdUHK aims to establish a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, bringing the best together from academia, industry and practitioners to further promote the application and development of AI in the field of education. AIREA will organise more forums, workshops, and seminars, featuring the most innovative minds in the educational landscape to explore the boundless potential of AI in education.
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