Beyond the horizon: Tsinghua's guide to AI-empowered universities

A report by Beijing-based Tsinghua University examines how generative AI is reshaping the global educational landscape and the opportunities and challenges this development brings with it.

The report, titled "Beyond the Horizon: The Global Development of AI-Empowered Higher Education," was unveiled during the Tsinghua Higher Education Forum, held in Beijing on August 30-31.

The report explores the intersection of technology and education – a crossroads that is both promising and challenging. Professor Michael A. Peters, an emeritus professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, emphasized in a speech the profound implications of current AI developments. He described it as a "different kind of AI," one that is not just about computation but is deeply embedded in the political economy of knowledge. 

"We are in a position where we're having to redefine the boundaries between universities on the one hand and data centers on the other," Peters stated, highlighting the need for universities to adapt to this new landscape.

The report emphasizes the need to re-evaluate and redefine the value and purpose of higher education in the face of relentless technological progress. AI's potential to disrupt the labor market requires significant adjustments in the structure of higher education programs and a redefinition of the knowledge, skills and values that future professionals must possess.

"Beyond the Horizon" is structured into six chapters, each addressing different facets of AI's impact on higher education. These include the evolution and latest trends of AI technology, AI-empowered teaching and learning, ethical challenges, global applications and student perceptions of AI, nurturing AI talent and policy directions for AI integration in higher education.

Jean-Gabriel Ganascia, a computer scientist and philosopher from Sorbonne Université in Paris, provided insights into the educational challenges posed by AI, particularly the need for AI literacy. "The most important point is to enable our students to become players in the future world, and not only consumers," Ganascia emphasized. He stressed that AI is transforming society at a pace that requires educators to not only teach technical skills but also address the social and ethical implications of AI.

The report's findings are grounded in practical examples, drawing on case studies from over 100 universities worldwide and survey results from more than 20,000 university students across 18 countries. Insights from over 60 top experts in academia, policy, education and industry further underscore the report's comprehensive and global perspective.

A key theme of the report is the need to rethink the role of higher education in an era where AI is increasingly influential.

Professor Xie Weihe, distinguished professor of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, argued that the fundamental task of education in the AI era is to help students transform potential into reality. "The responsibility of education lies in guiding students to understand and master themselves, to recognize and harness their potential. This is the essence of education: to ensure that students do not merely remain in the realm of possibilities but rather convert these possibilities into tangible realities."

The report also highlights the ethical challenges posed by AI in higher education, such as the potential decline of professional ethics, breaches of privacy and the risk of widening the digital divide.

Ensuring the fairness and transparency of AI technologies, as well as clearly defining their application boundaries, are critical issues that require thoughtful solutions. Cheung Kong Chair Distinguished Professor and Dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University Dr. Xue Lan underscores the importance of governance in this context. "The true challenge is not in how we use AI but in how we establish the governance frameworks that will ensure AI is used responsibly. This includes creating institutional structures that address issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and the broader societal impacts of AI."​

As AI continues to evolve, "Beyond the Horizon" serves as both a guide and a call to action for the global higher education community. In his concluding remark, Professor Peng Gang, vice president of Tsinghua University, emphasized the urgency of interdisciplinary collaboration. "The rapid development of AI technology presents both dangers and opportunities. The evolution of higher education in the AI era is too important to be left solely to education experts. We must foster interdisciplinary collaboration to fully realize the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks."

""Beyond the Horizon" offers a comprehensive, in-depth and objective reference for the future of AI in higher education, encouraging deep integration and innovative development.