Technology in Education: The beginning of the AI era

On September 15, 2023, at the showcase event “Technology in Education” hosted in Van Lang University, experts in technological and educational fields affirmed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will launch a revolution in global education.

On September 15, 2023, Van Lang University organized the showcase event "Technology in Education," on a global scale, which gathers leaders and experts in the fields of education and technology such as Ms. Sonja Delafosse, Director of Microsoft, who is responsible for the Education Empowerment Group and the professional development strategy for the global education sector; Mr. Eklavya Bhave, Senior Regional Director for Coursera Head of Asia; Dr. John Kang, Director of Asia Collaboration at Carnegie Mellon University; Ms. Nguyen Hong Minh, Director of Education Innovation Development Center – CIED;  MSc. Pham Kim Cuong, Founder and CEO of Cohost AI, who had won the Silver Medal at the International Informatics Olympiad in 2000; Mr. Lim Seng Tat, a business expert with over 10 years of experience as the Business Director at Altair; and notably, Professor Donald Marinelli, Co-founder of the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University and a professor at Arizona State University.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a challenge but also a condition to promote stronger digital transformation. Entering the era of VUCA, Van Lang University clearly acknowledges the strategic importance as well as the urgency of implementing technology toward the goal of digital universities. In recent years, Van Lang University has established a digital-based platform for operational management; perfected online learning management systems, deployed online learning and actively invested in academic facilities, integrated technology in curriculums and applied digital content.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, President of Van Lang University, stated: “Digital technology plays a primary role in the impact of technology on education. Key technologies including AI, learning data analysis, Internet of things/smart devices, robotics, and blockchain powerfully transform teaching, learning, and managing operations. Van Lang University always aims to be a pioneer in education, expanding student experience as well as creating new values on the digital-based platform.”

With the remarkable development of digital platforms, Ms. Sonja Delafosse, Director of Microsoft, who is responsible for the Education Empowerment Group and the professional development strategy for the global education sector, outlined the modernization of technology to emphasize the strong advancement of digital application in the field of education. From the perspective of an expert, Ms. Sonja Delafosse praised the capabilities of Chat GPT in shaping experiences, connecting learners with the community, and personalizing learning platforms. From the bright aspects of artificial intelligence, the expert presented seven methods to combine education and technology.

On behalf of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Van Lang University, Dr. Tran Ngoc Quang Phi, Dean of The Faculty of Dentistry, reported on the results of digital transformation in digital dental training, including changes in technology and techniques in recent activities in the the field of Dentistry. Notably, the VLU Faculty of Dentistry is the first and only institution in Vietnam to date that owns cutting-edge digital dental equipment, with Prime Scan devices that incorporate advanced AI technology.

For Mr. Eklavya Bhave - Senior Regional Director for Coursera Head of Asia, the goal of "Quality Education" has a strong impact on the remaining 16 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. On that basis, the integration of artificial intelligence is seen as a premise to create new learning opportunities. He also affirmed that the combination of Chat GPT and Coursera will usher in a new era of interactive and personalized online learning. To clarify his personal viewpoint, Mr. Eklavya Bhave presented specific data to demonstrate that emerging jobs require digital skills and can be performed remotely.

With the focal point of artificial intelligence technology, the “Opportunities and Challenges of AI Application in Education'' seminar provided a multifaceted perspective on the application of AI in Education, creating digital resources and digital learning on the technology platform. Through the insights shared by MSc. Bui Pham Lan Phuong, Vice-President of Van Lang University, Dr. John Kang, Director of Asia Collaboration at Carnegie Mellon University, Ms. Nguyen Hong Minh, Director of Education Innovation Development Center – CIED, MSc. Pham Kim Cuong, Founder and CEO of Cohost AI, and Mr. Eklavya Bhave, Senior Regional Director for Coursera Head of Asia, partly demonstrated the importance and potential of AI technology in optimizing the educational experience, building societies of lifelong learners.

Through the discussions among experts, it can be observed that the application of artificial intelligence in education presents both challenges and opportunities, heralding the beginning of a new era. To provide a high-quality workforce that meets the demands of emerging technologies, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) must continue to develop and evolve to cater to user needs. However, on the other hand, there are debates regarding whether Chat GPT could potentially make individuals passive and dependent. By posing the open question, "With this change, what should we do to adapt to the current socio-economic landscape?" proposed solutions that educators and students need to learn how to master technology as well as promote investment in research and education on AI, developing practical skills and knowledge alongside fundamental academic knowledge acquired in traditional educational institutions.

Sharing about the convergence of computational science and AI in the engineering industry, Mr. Lim Seng Tat, Business Director at Altair Engineering, with over 5 years of experience as Technical Director at Altair and 20 years as a software development engineer in the field of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), stated: Along with the technological advancements, the development of designs in the industrial sector will rely on simulation and data. Instead of manual and 2D designs, humans have developed 3D design software based on simulations. Moreover, the product validation process is conducted more swiftly and efficiently through computer simulations and designs based on digital data, rather than the need for physical testing and operational trials.

In this recent connection with Van Lang University, Professor Donald Marinelli, Co-Founder of the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) at Carnegie Mellon University and a professor at Arizona State University, outlined the six principles of the Internet of Things (IoT) that can be integrated into education: smart products, data management, design development, new partnerships, intelligent algorithms, and networks and connectivity. Professor Marinelli provided specific examples of technology applications in gaming devices like Roblox to emphasize the "Art in Technology and Technology in Art" perspective on the virtual reality world. He also mentioned that artificial intelligence still holds many risks today and cited specific mistakes made while experimenting on the Chat GPT platform.

On the same afternoon, Van Lang University signed an MOU with Altar Engineering while also establishing collaboration with Coursera, the leading online learning platform. The strengthening connection between education and technology, between VLU and reputable international technology organizations, illustrates VLU’s dedicated investment in the process of digital transformations.

News: Anh Minh - Hung Viet
Photo: Thinh Tran - Van Binh