Forum of St Petersburg University Partners: university graduates must be able to do everything with their own hands that they delegate to artificial intelligence

The plenary session of the conference brought together the 5th President of Indonesia Megawati Sukarnoputri; Vladimir Starostenko, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Security at St Petersburg University; Han Jiecai, President of Harbin Institute of Technology; Hossein Harsij, President of the University of Isfahan; Nikita Anisimov, Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics; Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; and Ojat Darojat, Rector of Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University). The session was moderated by Vladislav Arkhipov, Director of the Centre for Research on Information Security and Digital Transformation at St Petersburg University.

The conference is set to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. The objective of the ‘Dialogue of rectors’ is to exchange experience and provide a sufficient number of representative examples to show the position on the use of AI in the teaching and learning process, which is necessary to develop a unified set of rules for the use of AI in education.

Opening the conference, Vladimir Starostenko, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Security at St Petersburg University, said that today AI is penetrating all types of activities, including education. This is the next stage in changing the information culture: "This stage is very important and special. It is one of many stages in the consistent development of ways of how we can work with information. Something will inevitably change as AI is becoming more widespread. Something will remain unchanged. This is everything related to the foundations of spiritual culture." 

Vladimir Starostenko also focused on the central task of the conference participants, i.e. to ensure exchange of best practices and discussion of the practice of using artificial intelligence in education and the teaching and learning process; artificial intelligence tools for education; issues of digital culture and resources for advanced training; and ethical standards, principles and risks of using artificial intelligence.

In other words, we are faced with the task, on the one hand, to ensure the innovative development, that is at the forefront of our development in accordance with the National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for the period until 2030, and, on the other hand, to preserve our traditions.

Vladimir Starostenko, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Security at St Petersburg University

Speaking about the experience of using AI in the Indonesian economy, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri emphasised that today AI is developing unprecedently quickly and brings many positive changes. AI increases labour productivity, its efficiency, reduces errors, and increases accuracy in solving problems. In Indonesia, there is a need for labour, and today AI is already helping people in transportation, healthcare, and agriculture. However, according to Ms Sukarnoputri, it is impossible, under any circumstances, to substitute rational human choice and our desires by the mechanisms of AI.

People have consciousness, conscience, emotions, hopes, desires and dreams. People all over the world have similar ideals and dreams. These dreams and ideals help to form ideas of a bright future, where prosperity and social justice reign. Artificial intelligence cannot dream.

5th President of Indonesia Megawati Sukarnoputri

Megawati Sukarnoputri warned against threats from technology development: "Today, the world is facing uncertainty due to the geopolitical struggles, trade wars, technological competition and armed conflicts. We are concerned about the use of artificial intelligence in these conflicts, as they threaten the existence of the entire civilisation." Megawati Sukarnoputri made a proposal to her Russian colleagues to develop cooperation in the field of implementing AI in creative areas: education, pharmacology, food production, the fight against hunger, poverty, inequality, without allowing the "dictatorship of big data". 

Han Jiecai, President of Harbin Institute of Technology, agreed with Megawati Sukarnoputri. He called today’s time an era of change, but at the same time an era of hope. The artificial intelligence can rightfully be considered one of the most important discoveries, comparable to the invention of the engine as it gave a sharp breakthrough in the development of technology and the economy. With the development of AI, universities around the world have an important mission, they have found themselves at the forefront of technology and innovation to deeply explore and include AI in education and science and take advantage of opportunities, while controlling AI and subordinating it to universal values.

Over the three centuries of the University’s history, principles and rules have been developed that determine how university education differs from other types of education. They are part of the single tradition that was laid down at the time of its foundation. The infrastructure conditions and scientific and technical context of the University’s activities influenced the specifics of how these principles and rules have been used, but have not changed them in essence.

The Higher School of Economics decided that the teaching and learning process should be implemented in cooperation with AI, said Nikita Anisimov, Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. "We use artificial intelligence as a tool. We study and use AI in the teaching and learning process. We believe that every graduate will have to use AI in their professional activities." 

According to Vladislav Arkhipov, a session moderator, who summed up the results of the discussion, although university graduates must understand the importance of AI and, perhaps, even have additional qualifications as an AI specialist (including generative AI), they must be able to do their work with their own hands, head and heart. They must be able to do everything by their hands that they "delegate" to large generative models at work. Subsequently, in their professional life, they can use neural networks when required and in accordance with the norms of law and morality.