Exploring New Educational Paradigms in the Age of AI

The 2026 World Digital Education Conference was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province from May 11 to 13.

Scientific and Comprehensive Growth for Teachers and Students

At the Chongwen Century City Experimental School in Hangzhou, research director Xie Ying showcased the daily work of teachers, stating, “We use voice input on our phones to evaluate students, and the system automatically collects this information into a data warehouse for each student.” This model not only makes teachers’ work more efficient but also establishes personalized and systematic growth data for students.

While recording student growth, this model also fosters teacher development. “Collaborative work allows teachers related to each child to gather together, enabling young teachers to analyze data and master effective teaching methods,” Xie Ying explained.

The application of artificial intelligence in higher education is also noteworthy. Zhejiang University has been working to create a comprehensive talent cultivation system that spans from awareness enlightenment to project incubation and ecological linkage. “Cultivating critical thinking, innovative spirit, and creative ability is the core of education that no technology can replace,” said Ma Yanming, president of Zhejiang University. “The application of AI will accelerate the shift from knowledge transmission to value guidance, ability shaping, and creative practice.”

Fair and Accessible Educational Outcomes

In the deep mountains at the source of the Qiantang River, the central school in Qixi Town, Kaifa County, Zhejiang Province, has only six classes with 72 children. Smart technologies are helping them break down educational resource barriers. Principal Wu Zhangde shared, “AI companion ‘Qian Xiaowa’ and intelligent terminals have turned the mountains into vibrant classrooms. Children record plant growth through QR codes; ‘AI companion + online famous teachers’ help them reach city-level artistic stages; and through AI real-time translation and cloud connections, they communicate with peers from sister schools in Indonesia.” Smart technologies are continuously bridging the urban-rural education gap through personalized tutoring and resource sharing.

How does AI empower special education? At Hangzhou Yang Lingzi School, a circular screen named “Yang Ling Brain” allows each student to become a colorful “tree”: each branch represents different dimensions of student qualities, and each color indicates the child’s development level, with subtle changes accurately recorded and clearly presented.

The AI companion “Ling Xiaozhi” has become a close friend to the children at Hangzhou Yang Lingzi School. Particularly in social communication classes for children with autism, this fluffy panda friend not only initiates conversations based on children’s interests but also patiently guides them to express themselves and provides comfort during emotional fluctuations through its soft touch.

Such digital educational scenarios are becoming a reality in more rural schools. During the conference, 118 outstanding practice cases were showcased in a global digital education results exhibition. Wang Hanzai, a researcher from the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone Education Bureau, explained that they are exploring pilot projects to establish a digital linkage mechanism from high-quality urban schools to weak rural schools, gradually implementing a new ecosystem of teaching and learning restructured by AI across 129 primary and secondary schools in the district.

A More Diverse and Colorful Future in Education

“This year’s Chinese Pavilion exhibition at the Venice Biennale is the most cutting-edge part of the entire exhibition, especially the display of ‘Black Myth: Wukong’, which builds a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue among young artists,” said Yu Xuhong, president of the China Academy of Art, during the conference’s new “lightning talk” session. He discussed their efforts over the past decade to promote the China Design Manufacturing Award (DIA) by integrating humanistic intelligence, life wisdom, artistic intelligence, and industrial think tanks, bridging academia, science, industrial design, and research systems.

Technology has brought new opportunities for art education, making education more diverse and colorful. On May 12, the Global South Teacher Digital Literacy Enhancement Action Plan, initiated by the Global Teacher Development Academy Africa, was released at the conference’s parallel session on preparing teachers for future schools. According to the plan, developing countries will receive systematic support in the digital transformation of education, representing a practical step for China to deepen South-South cooperation and participate in global education governance.

“China is a strong partner of UNESCO in its areas of expertise,” stated Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, during the conference. In addition to numerous cultural heritage sites, learning cities, and UNESCO Category II centers, China has also established the International STEM Education Research Institute under UNESCO, which will effectively promote the development of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, helping cultivate talents with comprehensive abilities.

In this regard, Wang Jian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the Zhijiang Laboratory, shares a similar view. “Artificial intelligence is an important public product of technology,” Wang Jian said. Looking to the future, more interdisciplinary cooperation in technology and engineering fields will become possible, and the integration of AI with technological infrastructure will unlock more possibilities for educational research.