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Rethinking learning for the AI era

DiploFoundation/Geneva Internet Platform, Beijing Institute of Technology

Session 250

Monday, 6 July 2026 ∼ 14:00–14:45 (UTC+02:00) Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation Room E, ITU Varembé Building Interactive Session
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Physical (on-site) and Virtual (remote) participation

 This session explored approaches towards developing the skills and competencies needed for learning in the AI era. It builds on the 2025 WSIS Forum session on “AI (and) education: Convergence between Chinese and European pedagogical practices”, which highlighted several issues related to AI (and) education: the evolving role of universities and professors, moving beyond memorisation-based learning, the growing importance of capabilities such as creativity and critical thinking, and the need for new learning approaches.


The 2026 session will build on these insights and explore practical approaches for learning in the AI era. Drawing on Chinese and European educational traditions, the discussion will address four themes:

  • Learning in the age of AI: How AI is transforming knowledge production, teaching practices, and learning processes, and what this means for how knowledge is created, thought, and understood.
  • Reimagining the role of educators and institutions: Why and how education must shift from knowledge transmission to mentoring and facilitation, alongside redesigned curricula and assessment practices better suited for the AI era.
  • AI literacy through AI apprenticeships: How learning-by-doing approaches, including the development of AI tools, can help learners understand how AI systems work and critically assess their outputs and impacts.
  • Learning through narrative and dialogue: How storytelling can structure knowledge and inquiry, while methods such as hypertext annotation and AI-supported personalised learning enable dialogue, reflection, and mentoring-style learning experiences.

In line with para 85 of the WSIS+20 outcome document, which calls for international partnerships on AI capacity-building, the session will also examine how cooperation between different educational traditions can support innovative models of education and training.Format: moderated dialogue.

 

** the panellists will be updated**

Panellists
Dr. Jovan Kurbalija
Dr. Jovan Kurbalija Executive Director Diplo Moderator

 Dr Jovan Kurbalija is the Executive Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP). He was a member of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance (2004‒2005), special advisor to the Chairman of the UN Internet Governance Forum (2006‒2010), and a member of the High Level Multistakeholder Committee for NETmundial (2013‒2014). In 2018-2019, he served as co-Executive Director of the Secretariat of the United Nations (UN) High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation.

A former diplomat, Jovan has a professional and academic background in international law, diplomacy, and information technology. He has been a pioneer in the field of cyber diplomacy since 1992, when he established the Unit for Information Technology and Diplomacy at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta and later, DiploFoundation.

Since 1997, Jovan’s research and articles on cyber diplomacy have shaped research and policy discussions on the impact of the Internet on diplomacy and international relations. His book, An Introduction to Internet Governance, has been translated into 9 languages and is used as a textbook for academic courses worldwide. He lectures on e-diplomacy and Internet governance in academic and training institutions in many countries, including Austria (Diplomatic Academy of Vienna), Belgium (College of Europe), Switzerland (University of St Gallen), Malta (University of Malta), and the United States (University of Southern California).

His publishes regular articles on DiploFoundation’s blog, and the Huffington Post. 

Mr. Hao Liu
Mr. Hao Liu Executive Chair, School of Global Governance Beijing Institute of Technology

Professor Liu possesses in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in Air and Space Law, Digital Economy, and Global Governance. His professional journey has been marked by a dedication to the advancement of emerging technologies and aerospace operations, including unmanned aviation, sub-orbital flight, Higher Airspace Operation (HAO), commercial space ventures, and the integration of the digital economy with artificial intelligence.

Actively participating in key international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS), Professor Liu plays an instrumental role in driving innovation and supporting the emergence of new businesses in the aerospace sector.

Since 2009, he has been deeply involved in shaping the air, space, and digital economy legislation within China, making significant contributions to the field’s development and progress.

Currently, Professor Liu holds the positions of Executive Chair at the School of Global Governance, Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), and Secretary General of JARUS.

Topics
Artificial Intelligence Capacity Building Digital Skills
WSIS Action Lines
  • AL C3 logo C3. Access to information and knowledge
  • AL C4 logo C4. Capacity building
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 9 logo Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • Goal 10 logo Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
GDC Objectives
  • Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity