Abstract
As artificial intelligence reshapes higher education, employment, and international collaboration across the Asia-Pacific, universities must prepare students not only to use AI but to contribute the human capabilities it cannot replace. This session explores how global learning can develop intercultural competence, ethical judgement, creativity, adaptability, and collaboration, skills increasingly valued by employers and society.
Rather than focusing on AI tools, the session centres on the concept of the “human-in-the-loop”, ensuring graduates can provide the judgement, empathy, and ethical leadership needed in an AI-enabled world. Drawing on examples from mobility, virtual exchange, experiential learning, and international partnerships, speakers will explore how institutions can intentionally cultivate these capabilities.
The session brings together perspectives from the University of California, Davis and the National University of Singapore, alongside a broader global perspective from the U21 global university network and Common Purpose (a global, not-for-profit leadership development organisation). Together, they will reflect on the critical skills, judgement, and leadership capabilities students need to thrive in an AI-enabled world and how these can be enabled by emphasising cross-cultural communication and solving global challenges through global learning programmes. Participants will gain practical approaches for aligning international education with responsible AI engagement and future readiness.
Learning objectives
Participants will:
- Identify the human capabilities that become more important as AI reshapes knowledge, work, and global collaboration.
- Explore how global learning can cultivate intercultural judgment, ethical reasoning, creativity, adaptability, and relationship-building.
- Examine how student expectations around careers, AI, and experiential learning are changing across different institutional and regional contexts.
- Consider what “human-in-the-loop” means for international education and student learning.
- Share practical approaches for aligning global learning with future readiness, career development, and responsible AI engagement.
- Reflect on the role of global university networks such as U21 in advancing human-centered, ethical, and inclusive approaches to AI-era education.
Target audience
Those leading Global Learning or Intercultural Competence initiatives either on their campus or through overseas activties. Those interested in global challenges, the SDGs and their intersection with an AI enabled world.