China's leap forward: Modernization and innovation in education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing education and impacting learners across the globe, especially in developing countries like China, where the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee will convene from July 15-18 in Beijing to further deepen reform efforts.

During a visit to China organized by the Shijingshan Future Industry Education Center, Philip Lingard, a senior advisor at the biggest EdTech-only accelerator globally SuperCharger Ventures, sat down with CGTN's Enoch Wong to discuss China's rapid modernization and AI's potential in the future of personalized education. His insights reveal how technology and policy reforms can drive significant societal change.

Philip Lingard first visited China in 1987. On his return in 2016, he witnessed a transformation almost beyond belief. The country's modernization, lifting 800 million people out of poverty and building fresh, state-of-the-art infrastructure, left a lasting impression. Lingard emphasized that China's success is rooted in the reforms that began in 1978, which unleashed the innovative and hardworking spirit of the Chinese people. This period of unprecedented development, with four decades of nearly double-digit annual compound growth, remains unmatched in history and serves as a model for other nations.

Drawing from his experience as a CEO in the telecommunications sector, Lingard highlighted the leapfrogging effect in Africa, where state-of-the-art mobile systems from India surpassed Western hand-me-downs. He said he believes AI could similarly revolutionize education in Africa, which faces a dire shortage of educators, enabling universities to produce graduates with the skills necessary to transform developing economies.

Lingard said he foresaw AI further enabling personalized learning, where knowledge becomes less important than the ability to use it. Skills, adaptability and human-to-human interaction will be emphasized in the future, he contended, as the unique capabilities of individuals become more valuable than rote knowledge. Lingard argued that as technology advances rapidly, everyone will need to adapt, likely having multiple careers. The real threat to jobs is not AI itself but those who effectively use it.

The future belongs to those who can harness new technologies to enhance their capabilities and drive innovation. Embracing change and leveraging advanced tools will be essential to meeting the global challenges of the future.