Meital Conference international track: AI and Higher Education - a Global Perspective
Class Number 1 / Online Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Chair: Dr. Yishay Mor
Meital International Track part 1
14:00–15:20 (CEST)
15:00–16:20 (IDT)
Ethical Regulation of AI and Education (AI&ED): Needs and Benefits
University of Bonn, Germany
Dr. Christian M. Stracke
From Vision to Practice: Integrating AI into Higher Education Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida
University of Florida
Dr. Maya Israel
Man and Machine: Human and AI Development
Global Science of Learning Education Network
Kelly Shiohira
Meital International Track part 2
15:30–16:30 (CEST)
16:30–17:30 (IDT)
What is coming next in AI and Education?
UC San Diego
Dr. Vince Kellen
Integrating Generative AI in Higher Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Implementation
Old Dominion University
Dr. Helen Crompton
The impact of Blended Intensive Programs and Virtual Exchanges to professional and institutional development
Hellenic Mediterranean University
Dr Konstantinos Petridis
About The Lectures
Ethical Regulation of AI and Education (AI&ED): Needs and Benefits
Dr. Christian M. Stracke
University of Bonn, Germany
Dr. Christian M. Stracke developed interdisciplinary expertise in research, education and management while leading international large-scale projects (budgets over 50 million euros and up to 200+ researchers). As globally recognized expert and innovator and appointed ICDE Chair in OER, he published over 200 scientific publications on his main research fields: Open Education, Artificial Intelligence, Technology-Enhanced Learning, Competence Building, Impact Assessment and Educational Policies (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9656-8298)
He consults many educational institutions, international ministries and global organisations including UNESCO, Council of Europe, European Commission and European Parliament. As a member of the AI&ED Expert Group appointed by the Council of Europe since 2023, he works on the upcoming international law for the use of AI in education as well as on the recommendation for AI literacy
Christian is coordinator for the cloud strategy at the German University of Bonn and establishing the research lab at the scientific University IT and Data Center Bonn. He co-founded the UNESCO Unitwin Network on Open Education (UNOE) and holds a PhD in Economics and Informatics and a Magister Artium (M.A.) in Educational Sciences as well as professorships at the East China Normal University in Shanghai and the Korean National Open University in Seoul
He serves as editor and board member of peer-reviewed indexed journals (e.g., Frontiers in AI) and as chair of international conferences (e.g., AIED). And he facilitated and developed global learning standards as elected Chair of ISO, IEC and CEN committees and provided more than 100 keynotes and invited talks worldwide
In addition, he is Founder and Director of eLC, the European Institute for Learning, Innovation and Cooperation
He shares his thoughts on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-m-stracke as well as on Mastodon: @chrmstracke@mastodon.online
His personal website: http://www.opening-up.education
From Vision to Practice: Integrating AI into Higher Education Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida
This session will explore how the University of Florida (UF) integrates artificial intelligence into teaching and learning across disciplines with a focus on how the university has taken deliberate steps to empower faculty with the knowledge and tools necessary to embed AI concepts into curriculum and instruction. Key professional development initiatives will be shared along with how these efforts support faculty across a wide range of academic fields. Lastly, this talk will spotlight the UF College of Education’s leadership in advancing AI literacy, with practical examples of how we embed AI into teacher preparation, instructional design, and educational research
Dr. Maya Israel
University of Florida
Dr. Maya Israel is a Professor of Educational Technology and Computer Science Education at the University of Florida. She is the Director of the CS Everyone Center for Computer Science Education (https://cseveryonecenter.org/) and leads Florida’s K-12 AI Education Taskforce (https://fl-aitaskforce.org/). Her research and outreach efforts focus on approaches to support K-12 students’ meaningful engagement in K-12 computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) education. She is currently PI or co-PI on several grants including through Griffin Catalyst, the National Science Foundation, and Google.org including projects that bring together researchers and educational leaders to increase capacity in CS and AI education for all learners
Man and Machine: Human and AI Development
As conversations about Artificial Intelligence, skills, and the future of work continue, one important aspect which should not be ignored is the impacts of artificial intelligence on human cognition. What does the intersection of human and machine intelligence mean for human capacity, and how should we think about the purposes of education in the rapidly-expanding world of AI?
Kelly Shiohira
Global Science of Learning Education Network
Kelly Shiohira is the director of the Global Science of Learning Education Network, an international group of scientists, researchers, and educationalists invested in leveraging what we know about how people learn to create better learning environments and experiences for all. Kelly has a long history in education research, with a focus on literacy, skills, and the use of AI and Technology in education. She is a past recipient of the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy for a literacy-through-technology program focused on minority African languages, and is well-recognised as an expert in interoperability, credential fluency and AIEd. Her recent publications include the UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Students, Understanding the Implications of AI on Skills Development, K-12 AI Curricula: A mapping of government-endorsed AI curricula, and Proceed with Caution: The Pitfalls and Potential of AI and Education. Kelly holds dual Masters’ degrees in International Educational Development from the University of Pennsylvania and African Languages and Linguistics from Rhodes University
What is coming next in AI and Education
If you consider emerging trends in artificial intelligence regarding no-code AI application development and our understanding of how using AI affects our brains you come up with startling conclusions. Dr. Vince Kellen shares his insights on what educators need to do to take advantage of these trends and prevent potential AI induced cognitive tragedies ahead
Dr. Vince Kellen
UC San Diego
Vince Kellen is the Chief Information Officer for the University of California, San Diego, as well as a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, and vice chancellor and chief financial officer's senior management team. UC San Diego is recognized as a top 15 university world-wide and 7th best public university in the world, with over $1.1 billion in annual research funding, 36,000 students, 16 Nobel laureates who have taught on its campus and 161 faculty with national Academy memberships. Vince's recent work has been in the areas of student success and learning analytics and application of advanced technology in higher education. Vince is a recipient of the CIO Magazine “Top 100” award in 2007 and 2014, was one of InformationWeek’s “Chiefs of the Year” in 2013, received the Computerworld “Honors Laureate” award in 2013, and was one of four recipients selected globally for Dell’s 2012 “Transformational CIO” award. Vince has authored more than 220 articles, four books and more than 150 presentation on IT topics and is a Fellow with Cutter Consortium, a leading IT industry think tank, where writes on digital transformation and data and analytics topics. Vince was previously CIO and Senior Vice Provost at University of Kentucky and CIO at DePaul University. Before his tenure in higher education, Dr. Kellen was an IT strategy consultant working with Fortune 500 firms on marketing and CRM digital transformations. Vince has taught graduate and undergraduate courses on IT strategy, information strategy, and enterprise systems at DePaul University and University of Kentucky. He earned his Ph.D. in computer science, an M.S. degree in information systems, and a B.A. degree in communications all from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois
Integrating Generative AI in Higher Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Implementation
This session investigates the dual nature of generative AI within education, focusing on both its constraints and capabilities. The presentation begins by addresses key challenges, including concerns related to academic integrity, algorithmic bias, and pedagogical appropriateness. The discussion subsequently shifts to the pedagogical affordances of generative AI, illustrating its role in enhancing learner engagement, promoting differentiated instruction, and supporting the development of higher-order thinking skills
Dr. Helen Crompton
Old Dominion University
Dr. Helen Crompton is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal, and Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University. Dr. Crompton earned her Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Dr. Crompton is on Stanford's esteemed list of the Top 2% of Scientists in the World in artificial intelligence. She has published over 200 papers and her work in technology integration has garnered her numerous accolades, including the SCHEV award for the Outstanding Professor of Virginia. Dr. Crompton's expertise extends beyond academia to practice, as she frequently serves as a consultant for various governments, bilateral and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank, leveraging her knowledge and experience to drive meaningful change in the field of educational technology. Dr. Crompton’s CV and further information can be found here http://ww2.odu.edu/~crompton/
The impact of Blended Intensive Programs and Virtual Exchanges to professional and institutional development
Dr Konstantinos Petridis
Hellenic Mediterranean University
Associate Professor in Laser Physics, Vice Rector of Internationalization & Outreach, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece