AI for Educational Transformation and Youth Development: Opportunities and Risks
International Competence Development Committee (ICDC), The Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy (CSEDS)
Session 130
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming education systems and reshaping the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities facing young people worldwide. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in learning, work, and social participation, there is a growing need to ensure that youth are equipped not only with digital skills, but also with the knowledge, values, and global competencies required to thrive in an AI-driven future.
This session will explore both the opportunities and risks of AI-enabled educational transformation and youth development. Drawing on interdisciplinary research conducted by eight student research teams from leading Chinese universities, the session will showcase youth perspectives on key topics including educational equity, teachers’ digital competencies, inclusive and special education, higher education transformation, AI ethics, youth participation in public affairs, AI governance, and global competence development in the digital era.
Through presentations by student researchers, expert reflections, and youth dialogue, the session aims to foster meaningful exchanges among young people, academics, policymakers, and international organizations. The programme will also feature a dedicated youth perspective sharing segment, where a young student representative will reflect on how AI can support more inclusive and equitable learning opportunities from the viewpoint of the next generation.
Participants will discuss how AI can contribute to more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable education systems while addressing the ethical, social, and policy challenges associated with emerging technologies. The session seeks to contribute to ongoing international discussions within the WSIS process and support the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Fabrizio Hochschild is a veteran diplomat, aid worker, development practitioner and peace builder. As an senior advisor to the UN Secretary-General he was an early advocate for inclusive, human centered global governance of AI. He currently serves as Chief Advisor on Global Governance and Youth Development at the Global Youth Leadership Development Council, Guest Lecturer at King's College London, and Senior Advisor at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
With over three decades of service at the United Nations, he previously held the position of UN Under-Secretary-General. From 2020 to 2021, he was special advisor to the UN Secretary-General. He led the drafting and implementation of the Roadmap on Digital Cooperation and spearheaded the UN75 initiative. His work has long focused on peacebuilding, digital governance and AI for the SDGs. A regular speaker at forums including the Internet Governance Forum, he has highlighted risks such as the digital divide and technology misuse, and advocated for leveraging technology to advance global sustainable development.
In recent years, he has maintained extensive engagement with China. He has participated in high-level events such as the World Internet Conference and the China-EU Think Tank Forum, and given numerous interviews with Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, CGTN and other mainstream Chinese media. He delivers lectures at major Chinese universities on AI governance and international talent development, actively advancing exchanges and cooperation between China and the rest of the world in science and technology, education and cultural fields.
Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy (CSEDS). Mr. Ke Chunhui previously served as Deputy Director-General of the Department of Policies and Regulations of the Ministry of Education of China, and as Party Secretary and Executive Deputy President of China Education Television. He has extensive experience in educational policy, strategic planning, and education media development.
Vice President of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy and Director-General of International Competence Development Committee, Former Deputy Secretary-General of China Scholarship Council, with previous roles including Education Counselor at Chinese Embassy in Sweden, Assistant Director-General of Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges at Ministry of Education (concurrently Director of Overseas Study Division), and Education Consul at Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco. Adjunct Professor at Zhejiang University and Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Niu Wenxi has long been dedicated to the cultivation of talent with global competence. As Curriculum Operations Lead of the Global Competence Development Program, she oversees the implementation of the program across partner universities, tracking course progress and ensuring smooth delivery. She works closely with subject matter experts to review course materials and instructional videos, and supports experts in conducting thematic workshops on university campuses.
In addition, Niu Wenxi hosts the livestreamed Q&A sessions on global competence. To date, she has hosted nearly 150 such sessions, reaching over 50,000 participants. These experiences have deepened her understanding of large-scale capacity-building initiatives and cross-cultural educational engagement.
Niu Wenxi follows closely the global discourse on digital transformation, AI governance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration—key themes of the WSIS Forum. She is particularly interested in how digital skills cultivation, inclusive access to technology, and youth empowerment can strengthen international competence in the digital age. She believes that capacity building in the global competence field aligns closely with the WSIS Action Lines and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in fostering equitable and sustainable development through education and innovation.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-employment
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C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
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C11. International and regional cooperation
This session contributes to the implementation of several WSIS Action Lines by exploring how artificial intelligence can support inclusive, equitable, and sustainable educational transformation while empowering young people to actively participate in the digital society.
The session is closely linked to C3 (Access to Information and Knowledge) and C7 (E-learning) through discussions on AI-enabled learning, educational accessibility, digital inclusion, and innovative approaches to expanding learning opportunities for diverse groups of learners. It also contributes to C4 (Capacity Building) by examining the development of digital skills, AI literacy, global competence, and future-oriented capabilities needed by both educators and young people.
Through discussions on youth development, future skills, and workforce readiness in the AI era, the session further supports C7 (E-employment) by highlighting the importance of preparing young people for emerging opportunities and challenges in the digital economy.
The session addresses C10 (Ethical Dimensions of the Information Society) through student research and expert dialogue on AI ethics, responsible innovation, inclusion, fairness, and the potential risks associated with AI-driven educational transformation.
By promoting youth engagement, public participation, and multistakeholder dialogue on AI governance and educational development, the session contributes to C1 (The Role of Governments and All Stakeholders in the Promotion of ICTs for Development). Bringing together youth representatives, academics, policymakers, and international organizations, the session also advances C11 (International and Regional Cooperation) by fostering international dialogue and collaboration in support of the WSIS Action Lines and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
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Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
This session contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by exploring how artificial intelligence can support inclusive, equitable, and future-oriented education systems while empowering young people to become active contributors to sustainable development.
The discussion directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by examining AI-enabled educational transformation, digital learning opportunities, teacher capacity development, and inclusive access to education. It also contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through dialogue on digital skills, workforce transition, and youth preparedness for emerging labor market demands in the AI era.
By addressing issues such as educational equity, accessibility, and opportunities for underrepresented groups, the session advances SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Discussions on AI ethics, responsible innovation, youth participation in governance, and inclusive decision-making processes further support SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Finally, the session reflects the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together youth representatives, educators, policymakers, international organizations, and technology stakeholders to exchange experiences, share good practices, and strengthen international cooperation for sustainable digital transformation.
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
- Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
- Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity
Website: https://www.gicdc.com.cn/
Organization: International Competence Development Committee (ICDC), The Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy (CSEDS)