Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace and profoundly reshaping higher education. As the boundaries of knowledge continue to expand through technological means and access becomes increasingly effortless, the traditional teacher-student dynamic—once grounded in the transmission of knowledge and resolution of doubts—is undergoing a quiet yet structural transformation. The form of education is being silently redefined, and the conventional roles are being redrawn in technological innovation.

In this ongoing transformation, driven by technology and ignited by reflection, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area)—China’s most vibrant hub of technological innovation—emerges not only as a critical lens through which to observe how universities are responding to the challenges of AI, but also as a fertile testing ground for the future of education. In this edition of Cloud Frontier, we take the local perspective of the UNESCO-ICHEI as our starting point, focusing on cutting-edge practices among universities in the Greater Bay Area in the context of “AI + Higher Education.” We explore two central questions: the innovative value brought by technology, and the human warmth in education that must be safeguarded in the age of artificial intelligence.

Empowering Global Partners with the Greater Bay Area Practices

The rapid development of AI is profoundly reshaping educational philosophies, transforming teaching methodologies, and reconstructing curricular systems. Faced with such pressing challenges of our time, universities in the Greater Bay Area have not shied away. Instead, they have responded with openness and foresight, emerging as key pioneers in global educational innovation and offering replicable “Greater Bay Area solutions.”

This international hub, marked by vitality and innovation, is home to a technological triad—Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou—which together have ranked second globally in the Global Innovation Index for four consecutive years (WIPO, Global Innovation Index 2024). The region’s R D investment accounts for 3.4% of its GDP, and multiple technology indicators are among the best in the nation. These figures are more than just a demonstration of hard power—they are a vivid reflection of the deep integration between education and technology. Within this “technological soil,” universities such as Southern University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, and City University of Hong Kong are exploring new paths of industry-academia integration, interdisciplinary talent cultivation, and the application of research outcomes. They are forming an “innovation community” in which universities and the region grow together. For instance, BGI College’s industry-academic collaboration not only aligns with the real needs of industrial transformation but also offers a forward-looking model for global educational partners. With an attitude of openness, integration, and bold breakthroughs, Greater Bay Area universities are seizing the initiative amidst the tides of change—presenting a compelling “Greater Bay Area answer” at the intersection of technology and education.

Preserving the Human Warmth ofEducation Amid the Waves of AI

As AI becomes capable of writing essays, generating code, and assisting in instruction, we are prompted to return to the fundamental question: what is the essence of education?

While AI can transform how we teach, it cannot replace the irreplaceable role of teachers in imparting values, inspiring critical thinking, and guiding exploration. Against this backdrop, we observe that universities in the Greater Bay Area, while actively exploring technological possibilities, have not overlooked the humanistic core of education. On the contrary, they are reimagining the faculty-student connection amid the AI surge—fostering a new form of pedagogy that is increasingly personalized, diversified, and emotionally attuned.

In the “Focus” section of CLOUD Issue 12, we delve into a rich array of practical explorations by Greater Bay Area universities: from reforms to the mentorship system and the design of personalized learning experiences, to co-construction efforts between teachers and students in student-led projects—each innovation is a powerful echo of education’s original purpose. In the “Wide Angle” section, we also present global perspectives from international institutions on the evolving faculty-student relationship in the AI era, broadening our understanding of what it means to preserve the “temperature” of education worldwide.

In CLOUD Issue 12, we invite you to join us in a deep dialogue on “Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education”—to reflect, to explore, and to imagine. Amid the surging development of this AI era, may we always remain true to the heart of education, navigating with wisdom and propelled by a humanistic sail, toward a future marked by warmth and vision.

About CLOUD

UNESCO-ICHEI's flagship magazine CLOUD aims to build an exchange platform for higher education stakeholders. "CLOUD" symbolises "connecting leaders online for university digital transformation". Relying on a global network of experts and think tanks, CLOUD shares frontier knowledge, project updates, good cases, expert insights, and supporting data insights to promote the research and application of digital transformation in higher education. CLOUD is published in six official languages of the United Nations. Past issues have covered digital transformation strategies in higher education, capacity building of teaching personnel, quality assurance in higher education, micro-certification, AI, etc.