Jeju Island: Acting President Lee Ju-ho called for efforts to advance education based on trust and cooperation in the digital era driven by artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting AI's emergence as a significant shift in human civilization. Lee, who is also the education minister, made these remarks during the ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, a preparatory session for the upcoming APEC summit to be hosted later this year in Gyeongju, South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized South Korea's history of economic growth and social development through education in his opening remarks at the 7th APEC education ministers' meeting. He underscored the transformative impact of digital technologies and AI, describing this era as a civilizational shift that requires a reevaluation of educational approaches to ensure sustainable prosperity worldwide.
Lee stressed the importance of equitable distribution of the benefits of AI and digital advancements, calling for enhanced international cooperation to achieve this goal. He urged for the sharing of best practices, collaboration on policies and technologies, and joint efforts to address educational disparities globally.
During the meeting, ministers discussed potential changes in education systems due to digital transformation, particularly with the rise of generative AI, as highlighted in a readout from the APEC website. The discussions reinforced the role of education in fostering economic resilience, social cohesion, and long-term prosperity.
The ministers also agreed on the importance of sharing AI-driven innovations, promoting teacher exchanges, strengthening regional learning networks, and advancing digital inclusion initiatives. The education ministers' meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, gathers delegations from 21 APEC member economies for a three-day session and will be followed by other high-level meetings, including trade ministers' talks scheduled for Thursday and Friday.