AI Empowers Higher Education: People's Daily 2025 University Presidents Forum Highlights AI-Driven Reforms in China

Forum Overview: A Gathering of Visionaries in Nanning

The People's Daily Online 2025 University Presidents Forum, held on December 27, 2025, at Guangxi University in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, marked a pivotal moment for Chinese higher education. Under the theme "Artificial Intelligence Empowering Educational Innovation to Promote High-Quality Development of Higher Education," over a hundred leaders from top universities convened to explore how AI—Artificial Intelligence (AI), referring to machine systems mimicking human intelligence through algorithms, data processing, and learning capabilities—can transform teaching, research, and administration. 40 41 Attended by dignitaries including Guangxi Party Committee Standing Committee Member and Vice Chairman Lu Xinning, the event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and showcases of AI-driven reforms, reflecting China's national push for technological integration in education as outlined in the Ministry of Education's strategies.

This forum aligns with broader national initiatives, where AI adoption in higher education has surged. By 2025, China boasted over 6,000 AI enterprises with a core industry scale exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan, growing nearly 30% year-over-year, fueling educational advancements. 77 Discussions emphasized shifting from traditional knowledge transmission to competency-based learning, addressing equity, ethics, and innovation amid rapid AI evolution.

🚀 Guangxi University's Blueprint for AI-Infused Undergraduate Education

Host institution Guangxi University set the tone with insights from Party Secretary and President Xiao Jianzhuang. He advocated for AI empowerment across the entire undergraduate teaching lifecycle—from curriculum design to evaluation—through top-level planning and platform development. 83 The university launched an AI major while embedding AI thinking into all disciplines via six interdisciplinary groups, fostering cross-college projects where students tackle real-world problems using AI tools.

Implementation involves teacher transformation: from lecturers to guides, designers, and collaborators. Guangxi invests in digital literacy training, competency programs, and practice communities. To mitigate risks like academic dishonesty, they established norms, critical thinking education, AI-human mentor collaborations, and detection tools, creating a safe ecosystem. Outcomes include optimized talent pipelines for regional industries, with school-enterprise partnerships honing practical AI skills. 83

• Interdisciplinary AI projects solving industrial challenges.
• Teacher training elevating intelligent education capabilities.
• Ethical guidelines ensuring responsible AI use.

Professionals eyeing leadership roles in such dynamic environments can explore higher ed executive jobs to contribute to these reforms.

Tsinghua's Intelligent Education Ecosystem: From Courses to Ethics

Tsinghua University, a global leader, exemplified scalable AI integration via School Affairs Committee Deputy Director Shi Zongkai. In 2024 alone, 402 courses featured AI-empowered practices, supported by ten functional scenarios from teaching data analysis, logging over 220,000 human-AI interactions that boosted learning efficiency. 84 This model, a Ministry of Education typical case, enables personalized "one student, one strategy" learning.

Tsinghua tackled AI "hallucinations"—inaccurate outputs—with discipline knowledge engines, structuring field-specific data to specialize large models. Engines for integrated circuits and industrial engineering launched first, expanding to 20 departments. Accessibility shines through free 1,000-yuan computing coupons per student and a multi-agent platform with 185,000 interactions in 20 courses. Ethics are paramount: "Tsinghua University Guidelines for AI Education Application" mandate secure, normative use, safeguarding integrity. 84

Such innovations position Tsinghua as a model; aspiring faculty might find opportunities via professor jobs in AI-forward institutions.

Beijing Jiaotong's "Jiao Da Mode": Full-Chain AI Innovation

Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) Vice President Li Guoxiu presented the "Jiao Da mode," a comprehensive framework spanning teaching, learning, evaluation, management, and construction. Guided by "four connections, five integrations, six news," a three-year action plan drives systemic change via "three-modernization": training, scenario practice, and sustained support. 82

This shifts focus to capabilities and quality, redefining teachers as designers, motivators, and mentors. Impacts include enhanced digital ecosystems, earning acclaim from media like People's Daily. Step-by-step: (1) Teacher digital capability training; (2) AI scenario applications in classes; (3) Long-term mechanisms for integration.

Wenzhou-Ken'an University: Reshaping the Educational Ecology

Wenzhou-Ken'an University Deputy Party Secretary Yan Xiaopeng urged proactive AI embrace in the "15th Five-Year Plan," infusing AI into talent cultivation, research, exchanges, and services. Examples include AI streamlining student overseas applications and ethical training in open environments. 81

Governance evolves: from pyramid to flat structures, multi-center models with student-led hubs. Teachers become creators; students, innovators. The new paradigm—teacher, mentor, student, machine—prioritizes learning skills over rote knowledge, preparing for multi-identity futures.

Broader Perspectives: Other Presidents' Insights

Tianjin University's Standing Deputy Party Secretary Lei Ming highlighted "three reshapings" for change. 47 Qinghai University President Shi Yuanchun focused on AI for western universities' unique paths. 49 Southeast University and others showcased works, underscoring national momentum.

Read more on greetings from leaders.

Ministry of Education's AI+ Higher Ed Typical Cases

The Ministry has released three batches totaling 80 cases by 2025, featuring Peking University's smart platform, Renmin University's AI assistant, and more. 71 These span virtual labs, personalized tutoring, covering 30+ universities. Process: Identify scenarios, pilot AI tools, evaluate, scale.

• Benefits: Personalized learning, efficiency gains.
• Risks: Data privacy, equity gaps—addressed via guidelines.

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Challenges and Solutions in AI Integration

Challenges include ethical dilemmas, teacher upskilling, infrastructure gaps. Solutions: National policies, training (e.g., 71.5% vocational students use generative AI positively), ethics frameworks. 73 Regional context: Western universities like Qinghai adapt AI for sparse resources.

Future Outlook: AI's Role in China's Higher Ed Evolution

Projections: By 2027, AI will deepen, per action plans. Implications: Talent for national strategies, global competitiveness. Actionable: Universities adopt hybrid models; individuals upskill via faculty jobs.

For jobs in China's vibrant sector, check China university jobs or global listings.

Conclusion: Pathways Forward

The forum signals AI as higher education's catalyst in China. Explore Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, career advice, university jobs. Post a job at /recruitment.