Professor Youmin Xi delivers keynote at international conference for university presidents

As artificial intelligence continues to transform higher education, our existing teaching and evaluation methods must be reshaped to cultivate talent with the ability to harness “a fusion of human and digital wisdom”.

That was the message from Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, on 14 October, when he delivered a keynote speech at the Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents, in Beijing.

“In the field of education, AI should not and cannot be prohibited, but should be actively applied,” he said, pointing out that AI platforms using existing human knowledge present everyone with the opportunity to develop solutions to various issues.

However, as the processes and results of AI applications still depend on humans, Professor Xi said the abilities and qualities expected in future talent will be redefined, calling for disruptive innovation in the educational philosophies and models of universities worldwide.

Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU

More than 700 global education leaders, university presidents, experts, and scholars from over 50 countries and regions attended the conference, themed “Generative AI and the Future of Higher Education”.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent a congratulatory letter, and the opening ceremony featured a video message from Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education. Professor Michael Levitt, the 2013 Nobel laureate, also delivered a keynote speech on the impact of generative AI on the transformation of higher education from the perspectives of AI, biological intelligence, and human intelligence.

Nobel laureate Michael Levitt

In addition to his insights on talent development, Professor Xi also spoke on XJTLU’s dedicated AI system, XIPU AI, and its “Education + AI” programme, which, since late 2023, has led a systematic AI-empowered revolution across the University in teaching contents, objectives, evaluations, and other aspects. So far, 100 courses covering more than 80% of departments.

He added that XJTLU has also developed courses to train students in how to work effectively with AI, and is collaborating with universities, industries, governments, and society to build an AI innovation alliance and a “syntegrative ecosystem” of education, technology, and talent for innovation.

Professor Youmin Xi

Dr Tomás Morales, President of California State University, San Bernardino, speaks at the conference

 Professor Ian White, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, makes a keynote speech

Dr Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, delivers a keynote speech

By Wei Zhang

Translated by Xiangyin Han

Edited by the International Communications Team