On October 24-25, the “2024 International Conference on Digital Lifelong Learning” took place in Shanghai, bringing together renowned education experts and scholars from around the globe to discuss the transformative impact of digital technology and artificial intelligence on lifelong education.

In the context of global education, digital technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping the educational landscape with unprecedented force, driving a profound revolution in education. In China, the push for educational digitalization, the promotion of a learning-oriented society, and strengthening the infrastructure for lifelong education are critical strategies for the country’s educational development.

During the conference, the Global Digital Lifelong Learning Alliance was officially launched, marking a new chapter in global educational cooperation. Eighteen member organizations from around the world will collaborate closely through resource sharing to promote the widespread application and innovative development of open education and lifelong learning, aiming to enhance educational equity and inclusivity while narrowing the digital divide.

Simultaneously, Shanghai Open University unveiled the latest scenarios of its Open Learning Metaverse and AI-driven teaching applications. This learning metaverse encompasses five areas: art education, emergency management training, intelligent finance, artificial intelligence courses, and teaching for aging cognition. By employing experiential, game-based, and practical teaching methods, it aims to create rich and immersive learning environments for students. The conference also introduced AI-powered teaching assistants, including adult English and thesis counseling assistants, designed to provide personalized learning paths and content recommendations through deep integration with AI technology, fostering a more human-like, companionable, and guidance-oriented teaching experience.

In his keynote speech, President Jia Wei of Shanghai Open University addressed the theme “Openness, Intelligence, and Creativity: The Imperatives of Digital Lifelong Learning.” He emphasized that the digital age calls for openness in thinking, concepts, and organizations, transitioning from a one-way to a two-way and ultimately a multi-faceted openness. He shared insights on how intelligent technology is transforming high-level educational equity, human-machine interaction, and educational model innovation, and introduced the new perspective of AI empowering curiosity, competitiveness, and strength.

Academician Chu Junhao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences highlighted the new opportunities that intelligent technology brings to lifelong education. He discussed how dynamic feedback and instant assessments can lead to the design of personalized learning plans and innovative teaching methods, facilitating the sharing of educational resources. Addressing the challenges of “knowledge explosion” and “knowledge obsolescence,” he stressed the importance of fostering lifelong learning awareness and creating comprehensive learning platforms that integrate lifelong education with formal schooling and public education, resulting in a diversified learning model.

Stephen Vincent Ranklin, Deputy Director of the OECD Centre for Educational Research and Innovation, shared the OECD’s explorations in digital education, innovative education, and open education. He pointed out that open education is fundamental to enhancing educational equity and accessibility, and that intelligent technology will improve the efficiency and personalized experience of open education. He urged stakeholders to leverage intelligent technologies to create a more creative and interactive learning environment for learners.

Wang Ping, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government, expressed Shanghai’s commitment to exploring new models and pathways for lifelong learning in the digital age. He emphasized the importance of quality and balance in education, seeking to bridge the digital divide and further deepen the construction of a learning city. Additionally, he looks forward to more in-depth cooperation with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, aiming to collaboratively build an interconnected and inclusive global digital lifelong learning ecosystem through the Global Digital Lifelong Learning Alliance.

Ming Hui, Secretary of the Party Committee at Shanghai Open University, stated that the university would continue to promote digital lifelong learning by creating an accessible digital learning environment, enhancing citizens’ digital literacy, and establishing a collaborative and intelligent educational ecosystem.

The conference also featured exhibitions showcasing digital teaching scenarios and thematic displays on digital lifelong education, gathering over 30 domestic exhibitors aimed at supporting diverse learning needs for different age groups, including school-age children and the elderly, along with new technologies and products in digital teaching applications.

The event was co-hosted by Shanghai Open University, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education.