The iCANX Davos Summit convened in Switzerland on July 11-12, drawing together top tech talents, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide. This premier event focused on six core themes—Innovation, Science, Technology, Investment, Management, and Entrepreneurship (ISTIME)—aiming to chart the course of the future through collaborative innovation and knowledge exchange. Among the distinguished co-hosts, GEC Academy, as the sole Chinese educational enterprise, spearheaded a standout parallel session titled AI+: Frontiers, Trends, and Talents Nurturing in Innovative AI Development. This session was hosted by the iCANX Association and co-organized by ASI Global, Shanghai Jiao Tong University- GEC Center of Innovative Design for Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Suzhou Innovation Research Institute of Nanjing University, with collaborative efforts from iFlytek and Vision Intelligence. Throughout the summit, a myriad of experts delivered compelling speeches, collectively exploring the future prospects and practical applications of artificial intelligence in the education sector.
Expertly moderated by Ms. Wendy Wang, Secretary-General of ASI Global, the Summit kicked off with a compelling opening remark delivered by Professor Haixia Zhang, founder of iCANX and Professor at Peking University. Professor Zhang captivated the audience by articulating the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence in today's world. In her address, Professor Zhang emphasized the widespread application of artificial intelligence across various domains. She noted that it is timely to delve into the cutting-edge developments and leading trends of AI and highlighted the growing importance of exploring the cultivation of the younger generation in the AI era, as well as the advancement and development of technology.
Following the opening remarks, the summit transitioned into the keynote speech segment, where a panel of scholars, educators, and experts took to the stage to share promising horizons of artificial intelligence in the realm of education, exploring both its developmental prospects and practical applications.
Ms. Angela Kane, the esteemed former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Under-Secretary-General for Management in the United Nations, brought her expertise to bear on the topic of Artificial Intelligence and Educational Innovation. Holding professorial positions at both Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University and Sciences Po in Paris, Ms. Kane provided a deep and insightful analysis of AI's integration into education. She emphasized the importance of maintaining the creative spirit of teaching while leveraging AI technologies and highlighted the potential for AI to assist educators in accurately assessing the originality of students' logical arguments in coursework, essays, and exams.
Dr. Ning Zhang, Vice President of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy and President of the International Competence Development Committee offered an in-depth dissection of the topic The Growing Need and Development of Global Talents for the Future. He identified three key trends in global talent cultivation: global competence, interdisciplinary skills, and AI proficiency. Dr. Zhang also called for a targeted approach to strengthen Chinese youth in interpersonal, organizational, research, cognitive, and communication abilities, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship.
Mr. Edison Yan, Executive Director at ASI Global, delivered a dynamic keynote on AI + Education: Future-Oriented International Competence Talent Development. Drawing from the success of GEC Academy, which has collaborated with over 1000 experts from renowned global universities to craft a cutting-edge, proprietary curriculum, Mr. Yan shed light on the ambitious vision of ASI Global in the era of rapidly advancing AI. He also outlined plans to develop the ASI-X Artificial Intelligence Solutions, an initiative aimed at integrating AI into education through innovative research, course development, teaching tools, and a global community platform, to enhance educational practices and prepare a new generation of talent equipped for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Professor Rupert Wegerif, Professor of Education and Director of the Digital Education Future Initiative (DEFI) at the University of Cambridge unveiled an innovative educational blueprint, which is designed to create an educational system that seamlessly integrates human and artificial intelligence, with the goal of cultivating a collective intelligence in the learning process. In his address, Professor Wegerif also shed light on the strategic partnership between DEFI and ASI Global, expressing a shared vision for the future of education, one that aims to forge a new method of learning - to pioneer advances in global educational exchange and collaborative learning, all underpinned by the capabilities of AI tools.
In a significant move to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among college students, ASI Global and iCAN (International Contest of innovAtioN) announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration is expected to ignite a surge of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among college students, providing them with a robust platform to showcase their creativity and drive forward academic and professional excellence.
Youthful participants from prestigious Chinese universities, including Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, China Foreign Affairs University, Beihang University, Shenzhen University, Soochow University, Ocean University of China, and Jilin Huaqiao University, convened for the Global Competence Training Program Switzerland Workshop, organized by the International Competence Development Committee in the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy and ASI Global. At the iCANX Summit, students presented their findings on Sustainable Development Goals and AI Governance under the United Nations to esteemed experts such as Ms. Angela Kane, and Dr. Ning Zhang. They also received valuable feedback from a panel of experts in the field.
Looking forward, GEC Academy is dedicated to seeking new platforms and opportunities to launch transformative educational initiatives, like integrating AI into the educational fabric, set to enhance current practices as well as to pioneer entirely new methodologies. We are committed to fostering a generation of learners equipped with the international competence and adaptability that are vital for thriving in our fast-paced, ever-evolving global landscape.