- A full day of hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and interactive activities for students from primary to university levels.
- High-level plenary chaired by UNU Rector Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala with global education leaders on GenAI and higher education.
- Youth-led AI & SDG games and creative workshops to connect global goals with local action.
- Special sessions with local partners, including Forum Macao and the University of Saint Joseph, and the Macau International Model United Nations Youth Association.
- Unveiling of the UNU Hub on Humanitarian Innovation and Technology at Lingnan University — the first UNU Hub in Asia.
Macau SAR, China, October 16, 2025 — The United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) will host AI Education Day on October 25, 2025 at Wynn Palace Cotai as part of the UNU Macau Milestone Series commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 50th anniversary of the United Nations University. The program highlights the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, research, and social innovation, with a clear focus on empowering youth and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“AI offers major opportunities, provided that its deployment in schools is guided by clear ethical principles. To reach its full potential, this technology must complement the human and social dimensions of learning, rather than replace them,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
High-Level Plenary Session Chaired by UNU Rector
The day opens with a high-level plenary session chaired by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General. Centered on the theme “GenAI & Higher Education,” the session will feature keynote remarks and a panel discussion with global education leaders, including Dr. Shirley Agrupis, Commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education; Prof. David Birdsell, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kean University; Prof. Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg and Prof. S. Joe Qin, President of Lingnan University. Together, they will explore how generative AI is reshaping learning, research, and institutional strategy, with emphasis on digital equity, institutional readiness, and ethical integration.
Youth Engagement and Creative Learning
Youth engagement is woven throughout the day, with students from primary to university levels participating in hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and interactive activities. In the AI and SDG Games for Youth, participants will explore the role of AI in achieving the SDGs through gameplay and creative drawing workshops. A Model United Nations simulation will invite students to represent countries and debate global issues related to AI, education, and social innovation. Masterclasses led by keynote experts from the UNU Macau AI Conference will delve into AI for Good and AI for Sustainable Development, with a focus on ethical integration and regional relevance.
Training and Real-World Impact
Special sessions with local partners will further connect AI learning to real-world impact. A training session co-organized with Forum Macao and the University of Saint Joseph will explore how AI can be integrated into regional policy frameworks and innovation strategies for Portuguese-speaking countries. A bootcamp on TinyML and AI for SDGs will address how AI-driven research and development can strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure in developing countries. Topics will include risk assessment, predictive maintenance, participatory decision-making, and policy recommendations, with case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. The session will also address data governance, workforce development, and ethical deployment.
Smart Education Forum: Human-AI Co-creation and Linguistic Intelligence
The 2025 Smart Education Forum, organized by the Macau International Model United Nations Youth Association, will explore the theme “Human-AI Co-creation and Linguistic Intelligence.” The forum examines how AI can evolve into a lifelong learning partner, fostering a new paradigm of Co-Intelligence. Through collaborative creation—such as producing music albums or multilingual narratives—students and educators will explore how AI can enhance multiple intelligences and elevate creativity, expression, and professional skills.
The UNU Macau AI Education Day is hosted with Wynn Palace as the venue sponsor.
Learn more about AI Education Day: https://unu.edu/macau/aieduday
