Shanghai conference explores digital lifelong learning amid AI era

In the keynote session, Chinese and international experts discussed core issues around AI and lifelong learning. Jia Wei, President of Shanghai Open University, shared Shanghai's implementation framework for advancing AI literacy education, along with local practices such as the "One-Network Learning" platform, "15-minute community learning circles" and the "lifelong education credit bank". Experts reached a consensus: AI's core value in education is empowerment rather than replacement, and the essence of education always lies in nurturing human growth and thinking ability.

As one of the first Chinese cities to build a learning city, Shanghai has established a city-wide lifelong learning system. As a core hub, Shanghai Open University helped the city win the UNESCO Learning City Award.

Statistics show that 69.6 percent of surveyed seniors in Shanghai are willing to take AI learning courses, and 93.1 percent of surveyed teachers are open to AI training. Currently, the "One-Network Learning" platform hosts over 10,000 courses, and the first batch of short AI literacy courses is under development, with diversified programs continuously enriching public learning options.

For example, 71-year-old Shanghai retiree Fang Zigen started from scratch in an AI short drama program at Shanghai Open University. Now he can independently complete the full AI drama production workflow, and his low-budget work was selected for the Hong Kong International Short Film Festival. A piece by his classmate Chen Dongxia also entered two international film festivals.