Rethinking education reform in AI era

Generative AI is transforming how we work, learn and live, posing fundamental challenges to traditional education. Debates over whether AI will "replace education" reflect deeper questions: how humans and machines should interact, and what the core purpose of education really is. As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, reform is no longer optional but imperative. By understanding the logic of human-AI collaboration, identifying clear transformation priorities, and building a new talent development system, we can chart a feasible path for modern education and cultivate the skills needed for a tech-driven world.

Clarifying the direction of education begins with two questions: how humans and AI relate, and what education is ultimately for. Humans remain the ultimate architects of AI, not its subordinates. The future is not replacement but collaboration. Education's core value will not vanish; if anything, it must return to its essence — enhancing human reasoning and intellectual growth, using AI to amplify learning while staying true to its fundamental purpose.

The distinction between human and artificial intelligence lies in cognition. AI excels at rapid computation, storing massive datasets and performing tasks within defined rules. Humans, in contrast, possess qualities AI cannot replicate: emotional awareness, moral judgment, and creative imagination. These unique capabilities ensure that AI cannot fully replace human thinking and affirm education's irreplaceable role.