The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has taken a monumental leap in educational innovation by introducing Asia’s first “AI Lecturers,” a pioneering initiative set to reshape the landscape of teaching and learning. This groundbreaking move aims to enhance student engagement and motivation through the integration of AI-generated instructors in classroom settings.
Spearheaded by Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST(Guangzhou) and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity (MC2), the initiative has successfully created a diverse team of 10 digital lecturers. These AI instructors, hailing from various nationalities and professional backgrounds, leverage advanced AI tools to deliver an immersive and interactive learning experience. Among these tools are a state-of-the-art variational 3D full-body generator and other AI technologies such as Midjourney, ChatGPT, Bing, SadTalker, and EmoTalk, enhancing the authenticity of the lecturers’ body movements and facial expressions.
This semester, the AI lecturers have been deployed to teach parts of the “Social Media for Creatives” course, available to students across HKUST campuses in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The course covers a wide range of topics, from storytelling and gamification to NFTs and the impact of social media, with the aim of equipping students with the skills to effectively utilize multimedia and technology in their research.
The diverse array of AI characters, including influencers, policy advocates, and even 2D and 3D anime characters, along with the late scientist Albert Einstein, brought to life through AI, enriches the classroom experience by transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. This innovative approach not only makes learning more engaging but also fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
To assess the impact of these AI lecturers on teaching effectiveness and student performance, the team at HKUST has been collecting feedback and studying various factors such as communication styles, facial features, and the influence of character settings on students’ perception. Future plans include introducing interactive features for real-time student engagement and developing a platform for personalized learning experiences.
Prof. Hui emphasized the transformative potential of AI in education, highlighting the ability of AI lecturers to complement human teachers and inspire students to explore new applications of AI across various fields. This initiative aligns with HKUST’s commitment to innovative education and its efforts to integrate AI technologies, such as ChatGPT and the Education and Generative AI (EDGE-AI) Fund, into teaching practices.
With this bold step, HKUST continues to lead the way in harnessing the power of AI for educational advancement, setting the stage for a new era of teaching innovation that promises to enhance learning outcomes and foster greater student engagement.
