On September 2, Associate Professor (Special Appointment) Masahide Koda, Director of the Co-learning Community Healthcare Re-innovation Office at the Institute of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Vice President Atsufumi Yokoi (Global Engagement), UNESCO Chairholder, were invited as experts to speak at the seminar “Human-Centered Approach to AI in Higher Education: Knowledge Exchange Between Asia and Japan,” held at the United Nations University in Tokyo by the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS).

The seminar was conducted as part of the Asian Development Bank’s capacity development program and brought together government officials and higher education leaders from across Asia. Participants engaged in active discussions on the potential and challenges of AI utilization in education, research, and university management from the perspectives of ethics, inclusiveness, and human-centered design. Experts from leading Japanese universities also presented their latest initiatives, including new curricula in mathematics, data science, and AI, predictive analytics of learning outcomes, and research on AI ethics and governance.

Associate Professor Koda delivered a presentation titled “AI-simulated patient interactions,” introducing an educational system in which AI plays the role of a patient to train medical students in clinical interviews. The system provides a safe environment in which students can practice repeatedly without fear of failure. He also discussed the potential for students to take on the role of patients and interact with AI acting as healthcare professionals, thereby deepening their understanding of patient perspectives and fostering empathy. In addition, he proposed collaborative learning approaches in which students work together while interacting with AI, enabling multifaceted learning experiences. Participants were given the opportunity to try a demonstration version during the session and expressed appreciation for its effectiveness in creating a supportive learning environment and enhancing empathy.

Vice President Yokoi participated in a dialogue session with education leaders from across Asia, introducing Okayama University’s policies and initiatives regarding AI utilization. He emphasized that UNESCO has taken the lead in developing global guidelines for ethical and inclusive AI and highlighted the importance of integrating AI into higher education systems in a safe, inclusive, and values-based manner. He also addressed issues of digital sovereignty and cultural justice, noting UNESCO’s long-standing warning that AI developed in advanced countries is not culturally neutral. Furthermore, he stressed the significance of AI development by Asia and ASEAN for Asia and ASEAN and discussed the importance of international cooperation and joint research among universities.

Okayama University will continue to share knowledge with local and international communities, expand educational initiatives utilizing AI, and promote ethical and inclusive technological innovation to contribute to co-creating a desirable future for both the region and the global community.