Introduction

General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of understanding global AI development trends and cultivating a large number of innovative and cooperative high-end talents in AI as a crucial educational mission. 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 rapid AI advancements, and deepen cooperation to promote a shared future for humanity.

International Cooperation in AI Education

As a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation progresses, AI is reshaping global education at an unprecedented speed and depth. Recently, the Ministry of Education and four other departments issued the “AI + Education Action Plan,” which explicitly promotes international cooperation in AI education and aims to participate deeply in the formulation of international agendas, rules, and standards in this field. Strengthening international cooperation in AI education is not only a strategic necessity for building a strong educational nation but also a responsibility in constructing a community with a shared future for humanity.

Building High-Level International Exchange Platforms

To create a flagship platform for high-level international exchanges, it is essential to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism. On one hand, leveraging existing high-end international platforms can enhance the “AI + Education” brand. Utilizing platforms such as the World Digital Education Conference, World Artificial Intelligence Conference, and others, high-standard thematic forums or side meetings can be organized to showcase China’s advanced concepts, mature technologies, and practical products. This will attract top universities, research institutions, and tech companies globally, creating an international effect of cross-industry integration between education and industry.

On the other hand, efforts must be made to shift international exchanges from being “event-driven” to “mechanism-driven.” Under the guidance of the flagship international exchange platform, a cross-border “AI + Education” international organization can be established, along with a secretariat and other permanent institutions. A regular meeting, joint release, and information-sharing mechanism should be set up to deepen international exchanges and continuously expand China’s “circle of friends” in the global AI education field.

Policy Communication and Standard Alignment

Promoting policy communication and aligning standards 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 necessary to move beyond mere technology export and deeply integrate into the global education governance system, showcasing China’s commitment through policy dialogue and standard alignment.

Firstly, proactive policy dialogue bridges should be established to build international consensus on the development of “AI + Education.” The application of AI in education comes with risks such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and academic ethics, which vary in regulatory approaches across countries. Utilizing multilateral mechanisms like UNESCO, China can actively initiate or participate in global governance policy dialogues for AI education. Honest communication at the policy level can reduce misunderstandings and effectively prevent misjudgments, showcasing China as a responsible major power.

Secondly, efforts should be made to advance mutual recognition and joint formulation of standards, enhancing China’s substantive voice in rule-making. Focusing on key areas such as AI education model interface specifications and educational data classification standards, domestic leading enterprises and research institutions should be encouraged to engage with international standardization organizations. The goal is not only to promote Chinese standards internationally but also to advocate for joint drafting of new international standards by Chinese and foreign experts. By leading or participating in standard formulation, China can transform important practices derived from vast educational data into globally applicable rules, shifting from being a “follower” of rules to a “leader” in rule-making.

Capacity Building and Resource Sharing

To enhance international influence, it is essential to ensure that benefits reach people in various countries, especially helping developing nations bridge the digital divide. The global development initiative should be implemented to improve the quality and efficiency of “AI + Education” cooperation, adhering to the principle of “teaching a person to fish” through capacity building and resource sharing.

On one hand, international needs should be accurately addressed by conducting training for AI educators and governance capacity building. Developing countries often face a lack of teachers who can harness AI technology rather than a lack of equipment. By integrating expert resources from top domestic teacher training universities and leading AI enterprises, training centers for international AI education capacity building can be established. Through a combination of outbound training and inbound workshops, a batch of localized “seed teachers” who understand technology, can teach, and manage effectively can be cultivated, activating their internal development momentum.

On the other hand, quality should be prioritized in systematically promoting high-quality “AI + Education” resources and public service platforms globally. During the process of resource sharing, it is crucial not to simply translate domestic Chinese resources but to deeply localize them according to the target country’s curriculum standards, cultural context, and religious customs. Key resources such as high-quality domestic educational models, virtual simulation experiment platforms, and intelligent adaptive learning systems should be promoted abroad, along with comprehensive technical support. By providing high-quality resources and a good user experience, overseas teachers and students can 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.