Our 2-day organization-wide Professional Development Days is shaped by the contributions and sharing from our community. This year’s theme is "Innovate, Educate, Empower: The AI Era of Learning". This theme highlights the growing importance of AI in education and the pivotal role that educators play in propelling innovation in education.

 

AI is swiftly transforming our educational paradigms. Breaking through spatial and temporal constraints of traditional education enables learning resources to surpass geographical and cultural boundaries for global sharing. Through intelligent algorithms, AI can precisely analyze each student's learning behaviours and knowledge acquisition, thereby tailoring personalized learning paths and content recommendations. This effectively brings the concept of teaching students according to their aptitude into reality. In classrooms, AI-driven teaching tools create immersive and highly interactive learning experiences, making abstract knowledge tangible and simplifying complex concepts. This significantly enhances students’ interest and motivation for learning, making the education process more efficient and enjoyable.

 

Educators have evolved from mere knowledge transmitters to facilitators, promoters, and companions of learning. Technology allows educators to focus more on students' individual growth, fostering their innovative and critical thinking. As we continue to embrace new technologies, it is also essential for educators to develop the skill sets required in this digital age. These include digital literacy, data analysis, critical evaluation of AI tools, and adaptive pedagogical strategies. We need to teach students how to learn efficiently with AI assistance, and more importantly, guide them to consider the ethical issues and social impacts behind AI, nurturing them into versatile talents capable of harnessing technology to create value for society.

 

We have invited two keynote speakers to join us and present on topics aligned with our event theme and we look forward to their engaging insights. This year, more than 2,000 colleagues from all YCYW divisions and schools join us to take part in the PD event and share their perspectives. Students will also showcase their innovative use of AI, offering valuable insights into how they are applying AI tools in learning and problem solving. More than 60 workshops and presentations, planned and delivered by our colleagues and students, will be offered in connection with our theme ‘Future of Learning’.

 

I encourage everyone to actively participate, engage in fruitful dialogue, exchange best practice, and leverage the knowledge and connections that this event will provide. Together, let us harness the power of education to shape a brighter and more prosperous future for all.