SPEAKERS
 Jalen Cai |  Wanru Li |
DESCRIPTION
This panel addresses a critical danger in K-12 education: the "Equity Paradox." The paradox suggests that while AI has the potential to democratize education by providing personalized tutoring to everyone, it might actually widen the gap. Wealthy schools might use AI to enhance human teaching (giving students more time for creative projects), while underfunded schools might use AI to replace teachers (sticking students with screens). This session argues that to achieve true inclusion, AI must "observe the learning journey"—meaning it must track and support the process of learning, not just deliver content.
The panel will discuss the importance of formative assessment and the social-emotional aspects of learning that AI often misses. True inclusion means ensuring that AI tools are accessible to students with disabilities and those from non-dominant linguistic backgrounds. The session will likely critique "one-size-fits-all" AI solutions and advocate for adaptive systems that respect the diverse pacing and styles of K-12 students. By focusing on the journey, the panel aims to prevent AI from becoming a sorting mechanism that tracks disadvantaged students into automated, low-skill learning paths, while reserving high-level human mentorship for the elite.
This session is part of the UNU Macau AI Conference 2026.
To view the full program, please visit the program page.
To join the Conference, please visit the registration page.
AI × Education: AI for Learning, Learning for AI
Nov. 25-26, 2026 | Macau SAR, China
AI Conference 2026 | AI for SDGs - Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition | AI × Education Workshops
