How artificial intelligence empowers education: The digital transformation of education - Prof. LI Zhimin, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China

On 8 December 2025, the “IHERD Distinguished Speaker Series” hosted an inaugural seminar titled "How Artificial Intelligence Empowers Education: The Digital Transformation of Education," featuring Professor LI Zhimin, Former Director of Science and Technology Development Centre, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China; Executive Vice President and Director of the Talent Development Committee, Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy.

The event provided a deep dive into how the rapid advancement of the Internet and AI is reshaping the fundamental essence of learning and institutional structures.

Professor LI began by establishing that the Internet has overturned traditional principles of information dissemination, moving from "centralised complexity" to "tail-end simplicity". This shift is not merely technological but cultural, ushering in an era of "human-machine coexistence" and universal access to information.

Key insights from the presentation included:

• The Three-Tier Mission of Education: Professor LI emphasised that education must evolve beyond imparting knowledge to cultivating abilities and elevating the overall quality of life
• AI as a Personalisation Engine: For students, AI technology enables personalised learning paths and diverse resources, allowing learners to progress at their own pace with real-time feedback
• The Evolving Role of Educators: AI is shifting the teacher’s role from a primary "knowledge transmitter" to a "learning facilitator" who guides inquiry-based learning and critical thinking
• Digital Literacy for Teachers: The seminar highlighted five essential dimensions for modern educators: digital awareness, technical skills, digital applications, social responsibility, and professional development.

A significant portion of the talk addressed the challenges facing traditional universities. Professor LI noted that "digital natives"—students who instinctively learn through screens—require a shift in institutional mindset. He argued that for AI-enhanced education to reach its full potential, we must reform policy mechanisms to include:

• Mutual recognition of credits and equivalent degree progression
• Online certification standards for teaching resources
• The issuance of micro-certificates for course completion

The seminar concluded with a powerful reminder: the calibre of a nation is determined by the calibre of its universities. To maintain relevance in the information age, educational leaders must embrace digital transformation not just as a tool, but as a complete shift in mindset, moving from the standardised "industrial age" model to a flexible, personalised, and open educational ecosystem.

We thank Professor LI for his visionary insights and all the faculty leaders who joined us for this critical conversation on the future of higher education.