The fifth Belt and Road Education Dialogue convened at Shandong University in Jinan on March 28, 2026, drawing experts from multiple nations to deliberate on the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Hosted by the China Institute of Education Sciences and co-organized by Shandong University, the event underscored the urgency of international collaboration to harness AI for educational innovation amid rapid technological shifts. With representatives from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries including Russia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Serbia, Thailand, and Mongolia, the dialogue highlighted shared challenges and opportunities in adapting university curricula, teaching methodologies, and institutional frameworks to the AI era.

This gathering arrives at a pivotal moment for Chinese higher education. As China projects 12.7 million university graduates in 2026, the integration of AI into academic programs has become a national priority, with over 400 new majors in AI and big data approved across universities to fuel global competitiveness. The forum not only showcased China's leadership in BRI educational exchanges but also positioned Shandong University as a hub for pioneering AI-driven reforms.

Historical Context: Evolution of the Belt and Road Education Dialogue Series

Initiated in 2017 by the China Institute of Education Sciences, the Belt and Road Education Dialogue has evolved into a premier platform for policy exchange, theoretical discourse, and practical sharing among over 40 countries. Previous editions tackled diverse themes: the inaugural focused on research, policy-making, and innovation; the second explored education modernization and national development; the third emphasized research networks and international cooperation; and the fourth centered on teachers' professional development. This fifth iteration marks a strategic pivot to AI, reflecting China's "Education Action Plan for the Belt and Road Initiative," which promotes connectivity in facilities, scholarships, and joint programs to foster people-to-people bonds.

Through these dialogues, China has established hundreds of joint education institutes and programs with BRI partners, enrolling tens of thousands of students annually. Shandong University's role as host amplifies its commitment to BRI goals, leveraging its strengths in interdisciplinary AI research.

Shandong University's Strategic Position in AI Higher Education

Shandong University (SDU), a comprehensive "Double First-Class" institution, has positioned itself at the forefront of AI integration in higher education. In collaboration with Inspur, SDU launched the Shandong University-Inspur Institute of Artificial Intelligence, emphasizing industry-education fusion and talent cultivation in embodied AI and smart systems. Additionally, the Joint SDU-Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (C-FAIR) facilitates translational research and lifelong education, aligning with BRI's transnational knowledge exchange.

SDU offers universal AI general education courses to all undergraduates, alongside specialized institutes like the Data Science Research Institute and Artificial Intelligence College. These initiatives support applications in intelligent construction, medical diagnostics, and more, embodying Executive Vice President Wu Zhen's vision: "Shandong University is willing to work hand-in-hand with all parties to explore China's experience in AI empowering education and international paths, contributing to a Belt and Road education community."

Opening Remarks: Setting the Stage for Collaborative Reform

The opening ceremony featured addresses from high-level officials. Zhao Lei, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education's International Cooperation Department, urged focusing on "real problems" in the AI transformation era, promoting technology for good through deepened global ties. Li Peng from Shandong's Education Department highlighted the province's openness to BRI partnerships for high-quality AI-era education.

Wu Zhen emphasized AI's profound reshaping of global education ecosystems, positioning SDU as a collaborative leader.

Keynote Speeches: Chinese Perspectives on AI-Led Transformation

Li Yongzhi, President of the China Institute of Education Sciences, delivered a keynote advocating a systemic overhaul: new concepts, systems, content, methods, and governance to nurture thinking skills surpassing AI. He stressed basing reforms on the AI era's realities to cultivate irreplaceable human competencies.

Cheng Jieming, SDU's Honorary Dean and HKU Professor, called for "returning learning to students," critiquing over-reliance on AI and urging student-centered pedagogies amid technological flux.

International Insights: Diverse Approaches to AI in Education

BRI partners shared national strategies. Torebekova from Kazakhstan outlined modernization frameworks prioritizing competencies like critical thinking over rote knowledge, ensuring AI serves human development.

Lee Seung-ho from Korea detailed curriculum reforms, digital textbooks, and AI as learning partners, evolving teachers into organizers while addressing integration challenges. By 2026, Korea aims for large-scale AI education rollout.

Russian Academician Zelnov analyzed teacher role shifts—from knowledge transmitters to AI guides—supported by digital platforms and training policies.

• Kazakhstan: Competency-based shift with AI augmentation.
• Korea: Policy-driven AI curricula and ethical use.
• Russia: Teacher re-skilling for hybrid environments.

Breakout Sessions: Tackling AI's Practical Challenges

Two seminars delved into student/teacher/school roles, national digitization policies, social-emotional learning, and AI large models in subjects. Discussions emphasized preventing AI dependency, fostering emotional intelligence, and leveraging models for personalized teaching.

Site visits to SDU Affiliated High School, Jinan Zhensheng School, and Shanda Furen School showcased curriculum innovations, while the Shandong National Applied Mathematics Center demonstrated math-AI synergies.

China's Broader AI Push in Higher Education

China's Ministry of Education has approved 285 new joint Sino-foreign programs in 2025, many AI-focused, amid BRI expansions. The 15th Five-Year Plan prioritizes AI talent, with universities like Tsinghua and Peking leading global rankings. Over 500,000 teachers and students from 2,000 universities have received AI training via national platforms.

For deeper insights, explore the official Shandong University announcement.

Belt and Road Higher Education Collaborations: Achievements and Stats

BRI has spurred 100+ joint institutes, scholarships for BRI students, and exchanges benefiting millions. China hosts growing BRI student numbers, projected to exceed 550,000 by 2030, fostering mutual talent development. Platforms like Luban Workshops extend vocational AI training abroad.

Challenges Ahead: Equity, Ethics, and Teacher Readiness

• Digital divide in BRI nations risking unequal access.
• Ethical AI use: bias mitigation, data privacy.
• Teacher upskilling: from lecturers to facilitators.

Solutions include shared platforms, joint research, and policy alignment, as echoed in the dialogue.

Future Outlook: Building an AI-Empowered Education Community

The dialogue signals accelerated BRI AI cooperation, with China leading via scholarships, exchanges, and tech transfer. SDU's initiatives exemplify scalable models. As the 15th FYP unfolds, expect more interdisciplinary AI majors and global partnerships, positioning Chinese universities as innovation hubs.

Visit China Daily coverage for more on international views.

In summary, this event at Shandong University not only advanced discourse but catalyzed actionable steps for AI-infused higher education across BRI nations, benefiting universities, educators, and students worldwide.

Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash