To implement the national strategy for digital education and enhance AI leadership among primary and secondary school principals and local education directors, the Ministry of Education recently hosted a specialized training program. Huai Jinpeng, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of Education, delivered the opening address, and Du Jiangfeng, member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Minister, provided the closing remarks.
The training program focuses on future talent development, integrating new advances and trends in AI with innovative educational measures. It combines policy concepts, situational tasks, technical literacy, and practical cases in a carefully designed curriculum. Tan Tieniu, Chair of NJU CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented the first keynote speech titled "AI and Chinese-style Modernization."
In his speech, Tan Tieniu outlined the development trajectory of AI. He emphasized that respecting disciplinary development principles is crucial for healthy progress, foundational research is the cornerstone of sustainable development, application needs are the inexhaustible source of technological innovation, interdisciplinary approaches are the "shortcut" to breakthroughs, and tolerance for failure is essential to support innovation. Rational and pragmatic goal-setting is a fundamental principle to follow. Currently, specialized AI is maturing, large model technologies are making breakthroughs, generative AI is thriving, and embodied intelligence and humanoid robots are gaining attention. Meanwhile, AI-driven scientific research is advancing rapidly, empowering various industries, and its social impact is increasingly evident, though general AI remains a challenging goal. Tan Tieniu believes that looking ahead, AI will evolve from specialized to multipurpose, from AI to human-machine hybrid intelligence, from "artificial + intelligence" to autonomous intelligent systems, further driving profound transformations across industries. The relevant global governance issues will become increasingly prominent, requiring international cooperation.
Tan Tieniu further analyzed the AI development trends of major global economies. He noted that China places great importance on AI development, having achieved a series of remarkable results and showing promising growth prospects, while also facing new challenges. He emphasized the need to vigorously advance AI-driven Chinese-style modernization. He offered three recommendations: First, fully recognize the strategic significance of AI in advancing Chinese-style modernization. AI is essential for seizing the historical opportunity of the new technological revolution and industrial transformation, gaining strategic advantage in intensifying international competition, driving high-quality development, modernizing national governance systems and capabilities, and enhancing people's well-being. Second, accurately grasp the practical requirements for AI empowerment in Chinese-style modernization, improve strategic planning and top-level design, promote deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, build a multi-tiered talent development system, enhance societal AI literacy, advance AI empowerment locally, strengthen AI governance, and ensure AI is directed towards positive outcomes. Third, focus on advancing AI-driven high-quality educational development, adhere to a systematic approach, strengthen top-level design, prioritize human-centric values and leverage teacher roles, ensure comprehensive empowerment and coordinated advancement, maintain rational pragmatism and local adaptability, promote open sharing and resource efficiency, and prioritize safety, safeguarding ideological boundaries.
"AI is not omnipotent, and there are many things it cannot do, but in today's era of pervasive AI and imminent intelligent times, not understanding or embracing AI is simply not an option!" Tan Tieniu stated. We must seize opportunities and tackle challenges to better serve Chinese-style modernization with AI.
The training program was held at the National Academy of Education Administration and broadcast live via the National Smart Education Platform, covering all primary and secondary school principals, local education bureau directors, and supervisors nationwide.
