Prof. Robert M DAVISON

City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Robert Davison is a Professor (Chair) of Digital Transformation at the City University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on: the misuse of information systems; digital transformation and resilience; and the negative consequences of AI. He is particularly known for his scholarship in the domain of action research. Robert is Editor in Chief of the Information Systems Journal and of the Information Systems Practice Journal. As a researcher and as an editor, he seeks to promote both an inclusive and an indigenous perspective in research.

Home Page: http://www.is.cityu.edu.hk/staff/isrobert

Prof. Curtis J. Bonk

Indiana University, USA

Curtis J. Bonk received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin in educational psychology. He is now Distinguished Professor of Instructional Systems Technology program in the Learning, Design, and Adult Education Department in the School of Education at Indiana University (IU) teaching psychology and technology courses and Adjunct in the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. His scholarly interests are self-directed online learning, the use of generative AI for language learning and SDL, open education, e-learning, blended learning, distance education, informal learning, online motivation and collaboration, and emerging learning technologies. Curt is the author of over to 450 publications (including 20 books and nearly 200 peer reviewed journal articles) and has given close to 2,000 talks around the world including keynote presentations in Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Toronto, Cairo, Riyadh, Madrid, London, Manila, Seoul, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Barcelona. He has been a visiting scholar/distinguished professor in 11 different countries. His books include Transformative Teaching Around the World; The World Is Open: How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education; Empowering Online Learning; The Handbook of Blended Learning; Electronic Collaborators; Motivating and Supporting Online Learners; and MOOCs and Open Education in the Global South. He has consistently been listed in the Stanford University list of top 2% of scientists in the world. In 2020, Curt was awarded the IU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Technology, and, in 2021, he received the David H. Jonassen Excellence in Research Award from AECT. A year later, the American Educational Research Association named him an AERA Fellow for his exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research, and in 2023 AERA recognized him with the Outstanding International Research Collaboration Award. He is also a fellow of the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), AACE, and AECT. In 2026, he received an honorary doctorate from the Open University of the Netherlands for his contributions to the field of distance and online learning. Curt co-hosts the weekly multiple award-winning podcast show, Silver Lining for Learning (https://silverliningforlearning.org/). He can be contacted at cjbonk@iu.edu and his homepage is http://curtbonk.com/.

Speech Title Can You Believe It?: AI-Enhanced Self-Directed Lifelong Learning is Here!

Abstract For a half century, educators, psychologists, and researchers have been predicting that highly intensive, innovative, and individualized learning formats powered by intelligent agents and tutors are only a few years away. However, each year would arrive with the same lovely hopes and dreams and unfortunately depart with little fanfare. Fast forward to today where the endless decades of promises seem much more relevant and realistic today with the advent of generative AI technology such as DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, Perplexity, etc. Today, the learner, guided by generative AI, is seeking out learning experiences (e.g., engaging in different levels of simulated experiences, beginning to learn a new language, learning to write poetry or musical lyrics, etc.), instead of being forced down preset paths with predetermined outcomes. The learner is increasingly self-directed and the learning environment is learner-determined, lifelong, and individualized. Bonk will detail his new 10 Level Continuum for self-directed learning (SDL) with Generative AI in Education. The levels of the continuum include: Level 1. AI Resource Aid or Tutor; Level 2. AI Information Assistant; Level 3. AI Learning Assistant. Use; Level 4. AI Team Member or Collaborator; Level 5. AI Augmentative Support Tool; Level 6. AI Learning Companion or Guide; Level 7. AI Project Partner; Level 8. AI Motivation Coach; Level 9. AI Self-Regulation Coach; and Level 10. AI Performance Advisor. What the human race needs to do is design guidelines, specific training experiences, and novel assessments for this self-directed lifelong learning world. It may be hard to believe, but AI-enhanced self-directed lifelong learning is here and with it so too are new opportunities for every learner on this planet.

Prof. Chen Xi

Nanjing University, China

Xi Chen, Ph.D., Full Professor, Ph.D. Supervisor, Chair of Marketing and Electronic Business Department, Nanjing University, Visiting Scholar of Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington. He authors more than 120 refereed journal/international conference papers and book chapters, more than 100 papers among them have been indexed by SCI/SSCI and EI, including lots of papers in UTD list and JCR Q1 section. He has published 10 monographs and holds several national authorized patents. He has served as principal investigator or sub-project lead for over 40 research grants, including key projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), key projects of the National Social Science Fund of China, general NSFC projects, and research grants from the Ministry of Education of China. He also leads an innovation research team at Nanjing University. His honors include the China Management Youth Award, Best Paper Awards from the Chinese Association for System Simulation and the China Information Economics Society, and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Philosophy and Social Sciences in Jiangsu Province. He was selected for the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of the Ministry of Education in 2011, as well as five high-end talent programs in Jiangsu Province. He serves as chair or committee member of several international and national academic societies, chairs multiple technical committees, and has acted as Organizing Committee Chair for peer-reviewed conferences. In addition, he is an Associate Editor or Editorial Board Member for a number of peer-reviewed international journals and conference proceedings. His research interests cover business intelligence, service engineering and management, digital economy, and complex systems.