AI Integration in International Higher Education: Bridging Digital Ecosystems in a Connected World

GILT Research Centre (Globalisation, Internationalisation, Localisation and Translation)

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

Supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. UGC/IDS(R)14/23)

Overview

Driving Force

                        AI is transforming higher education internationalization through cross-disciplinary integration and new teaching paradigms
                    

Key Challenge

                        Integrating AI into higher education in international settings faces unique barriers: language differences and digital ecosystem variations across regions
                    

Our Response

                        Developing solutions to bridge these divides through innovative teaching approaches and AI-powered support tools
                    

About GILT Research Centre, HSUHK

2024

Established

$4M

Government Funding

3

Strategic Research Areas

                 Research Focus Areas:
                 GILT of Digital Media
 Technology for GILT
 GILT in HK and Beyond

            

AI as a Transformative Force

AI is transforming both WHAT we teach and HOW we teach

In addition to usage policies and teaching enhancement:

Critical Focus: Cross-disciplinary AI Integration

Beyond Computer Science
Integration into Various Academic Studies
Example: Translation Technology in Higher Education

Challenges in Internationalizing AI Integration in Higher Education

Language Barriers

Term Variations:

"Machine Learning": 机器学习 / 機器學習
"Cloud Computing": 云计算 / 雲端運算
"Digital Marketing": 数字营销 / 數碼營銷

Digital Ecosystem Variations

Platform Equivalents:

Google → Baidu
YouTube → Bilibili
Instagram → Xiaohongshu
WhatsApp → WeChat

Case Study: AI in Translation & Bilingual Digital Marketing

Past Approach

Hong Kong Tools Focus:

Google Translate
DeepL
Instagram

Hong Kong-centric terminology

Current Approach

Integrated Tool Ecosystem:

Google Translate + Baidu Translate
DeepL + Youdao
Instagram + Xiaohongshu

Multi-regional terminology coverage

Innovation in Teaching

1. Principle-Based Approach

Focus on underlying mechanisms and principles rather than specific tools, enabling knowledge transfer across different platforms to foster adaptability.

Universal concepts over platform-specific features
Cross-platform strategy development
Adaptable workflow design

2. AI-Powered Support Tools

Course Advisory Bot

Input: "Suggest digital marketing tools for international & mainland students"

Output:

                            For international markets: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn

                            For mainland China: WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Douyin

                            Common principles: Content strategy, audience engagement, analytics

Smart Localizer

Input: "IG is a powerful digital marketing tool."

Output:

EN: IG is a powerful digital marketing tool

HK: IG是一個強大的數碼營銷工具

CN: Ins是一个强大的数字营销工具 (Note: 在中国内地，可使用小红书等本地化社交媒体平台实现同等营销效果)

Content Validator

Input: "Handout about business communication tools"

Alert:

                            Content mentions only WhatsApp Business. Consider including WeChat Business for mainland students.
                        

Looking Ahead

Expected challenges:

Rapid AI development
Growing diversity of AI applications
Regional variations in technology adoption

Through innovative teaching methods and tools, we can help international, cross-disciplinary students embrace the world of AI.