ETI Salon #6: AI as a tool for learning data science and learning interview skills

The 6th Education Transformation and Innovation (ETI) Salon, held on 27 April 2026 (Monday), focused on the practical integration of AI to advance the PolyU Education 4.0 initiative. The session explored how AI acts as a catalyst for student-centered learning by shifting the focus from technical barriers to higher-order mastery. 

Professor Jian HUANG, Chair Professor of Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Department of Applied Mathematics presented a topic “AI as a Tool for Learning Data Science”, introduced the concept of AI-powered data science education, emphasising a move away from traditional curriculum-based inputs toward a competence-based model. By utilising the LAMBDA large model-based data agent, students can bypass the steep learning curves of coding and syntax to focus on the "4T" framework: Data, Statistical, Computational, and Ethical thinking. This approach seeks to democratise data education, making it accessible to beginners and ensuring that learners prioritise critical analysis and real-world application over routine programming tasks.

Complementing this technical focus, Dr Zhiyuan WEN, Research Assistant Professor, Institute for Higher Education Research and Development (IHERD) and Department of Computing presented a topic “AI as a Tool for Learning Interview Skills” debuting a platform called PolyInterview, an AI-driven platform designed to prepare students for an increasingly competitive job market. Recognising the high anxiety and limited opportunities for realistic practice, the platform provides a scalable solution for developing essential interview skills. PolyInterview employs digital human interviewers with distinct personalities to simulate dynamic, multimodal conversations that assess both professional competency and communication style. Through the STAR framework and real-time feedback on verbal and non-verbal cues, the system provides students with personalized coaching that was previously difficult to scale. Collectively, these presentations demonstrated that AI is not merely a supplementary tool but a fundamental partner in fostering an interactive and personalized educational environment that equips students with both specialised knowledge and vital career competencies.

PolyInterview is now available for a trial experience, and all PolyU staff and students are warmly welcomed to provide their feedback.