The 2024 World Digital Education Conference opened in Shanghai on Jan 30, bringing together leaders from various sectors to share their insights and visions on how digital technology can transform education and foster sustainable development.

The opening ceremony of the 2024 World Digital Education Conference in Shanghai. [Photo/bjnews.com.cn]

Chen Jining, Party secretary of Shanghai, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, highlighting the role of digital technology as a driving force for educational reform. He said Shanghai will explore more digital practices to enhance the integration of technology and education and strive to build a more inclusive and equitable digital education system for all.

Cai Dafeng, vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, also addressed the ceremony, stressing that China will accelerate the modernization of digital education, continuously enhance digital literacy and the competence of the whole nation to facilitate the comprehensive development of individuals and the high-quality construction of society.

Simona-Mirela Miculescu, president of the UNESCO General Conference, called on all countries to provide free and open public digital learning platforms and cater to the needs of all learners, especially those from vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities and women. She also emphasized the need to improve platform content and fully leverage technologies such as generative artificial intelligence to promote educational reform.

The Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng said that China will expand the scope of digital applications, especially in promoting digital education in the central and western regions. Additionally, the country will focus on increasing the availability of intelligent education and developing high-quality course resources. He also highlighted the importance of scientifically evaluating the impacts of artificial intelligence technology on education with a focus on information security and privacy. Furthermore, China will boost international exchanges and establish a global cooperative mechanism for digital education, aiming to make China a practical platform for implementing global initiatives on development, security, and civilization.

Source: bjnews.com.cn