This short talk provides an overview of how AI is transforming education, with a particular focus on second and foreign language learning. I will briefly survey current trends in the use of generative AI for language teaching and learning, including its roles in practice, feedback, and assessment. Grounded in relevant theoretical frameworks and learning theories, and informed by key findings from recent research, I will discuss AI's major benefits (e.g., personalized learning, individualized and timely feedback) alongside its limitations and risks (e.g., overreliance, ethical concerns, and threats to academic integrity). I conclude by highlighting the growing importance of AI–human co-intelligence, exploring how teachers and learners can strategically integrate AI as a pedagogical partner while preserving human agency, critical thinking, and professional judgment in language education.
Speaker
Venus Chan
Assistant Professor
Department of Humanities, Language and Translation
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Venus Chan is an Assistant Professor at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Her research interests include educational technology, technology-enhanced language learning, translator and interpreter training and applied linguistics.
This session explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing language acquisition through highly personalized, adaptive, and engaging learning experiences. It introduces cutting-edge AI tools—including generative AI, intelligent tutoring systems, speech recognition, and adaptive learning algorithms—that analyze learner patterns, deliver real-time feedback, and customize content according to individual proficiency levels, cultural contexts, and learning styles.
The session examines practical applications such as AI-enhanced lesson planning, chatbot integration for conversational practice, automated assessment tools, and multimodal AI (text, voice, and visual) to improve retention and motivation. Real-world case studies demonstrate measurable improvements in learner outcomes, while addressing ethical considerations including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the changing role of teachers in AI-augmented environments.
Speaker
Billy Hui
Co-founder
Laurry AI
Billy Hui is a doctoral researcher specializing in educational technology by AI. As the CEO of an innovative edtech company, he develops AI-driven learning solutions that transform how languages are acquired and taught.
His research leverages EvaSpeak as a core practice tool to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and second-language acquisition. Particular focus is placed on personalized adaptive learning systems that boost learner autonomy, engagement, and measurable outcomes.
Billy's work has been presented at leading international conferences. He regularly conducts workshops and provides strategic consulting to schools, universities, and government bodies on digital transformation and AI integration in education.
With extensive product development experience, he has received numerous accolades, including the HKICT Gold Award, the Geneva International Invention Gold Medal, and the Outstanding AI Language Award.
This workshop examines how advanced AI can enhance engagement and effectiveness in education through Quest XR, an AI-empowered platform for personalized, adaptive learning. We demonstrate how Quest XR integrates generative AI and intelligent tutoring systems to design dynamic, goal-oriented games and AI-driven non-player characters that support interactive conversational practice and real-time formative feedback. These features enable fine-grained tailoring of content to individual proficiency levels and learning preferences, thereby improving both motivation and knowledge retention. Participants will explore tools in Quest XR for AI-enhanced lesson planning and semi-automated assessment, alongside examples of measurable gains in learner performance.
Speaker
Allen Fu
Project Manager
Eventfun Limited
Allen, currently serving as a Project Manager at Eventfun Limited, holds a degree in Computer and Management Science. He possesses nearly a decade of experience within the IT industry, primarily operating as a Product Manager. His professional background spans social gaming, data back-ends, and Web3 products.
The rise of the metaverse presents new opportunities for education and entertainment, but also introduces serious risks for children, including cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. This study presents CyberNinjas, a VR-based system developed using the design science research paradigm to enhance children's awareness of cyber harm in immersive environments. By integrating interactive storytelling and gamified learning, the system engages children while promoting critical thinking and safe online behaviour. Evaluations with participants showed high engagement and a significant improvement in cyber safety awareness. User feedback confirmed the system's educational value, while expert reviews validated its alignment with curriculum needs. This research contributes to the fields of cyber safety and education by offering a scalable, immersive framework for safety education and demonstrating the effective use of design science in developing socially responsible technologies. The CyberNinjas initiative addresses a critical gap in preparing young users to navigate the metaverse safely and responsibly.
Speaker
William YEOH
Professor
Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
William Yeoh is a Professor at the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Previously, he was with Deakin University's Deakin Business School, where he also served as Innovation Head at the Deakin Cyber Research and Innovation Centre. His research has been supported by various funding bodies and published in top-tier journals. His contributions to research, teaching, and service have been recognised through national and international awards, including the Researcher of the Year Award from the Australian Information Security Association (AISA), the Exemplary Lecturer Award from the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP WG 8.4), the ICT Educator of the Year Gold Award from the Australian Computer Society (ACS), Australia's Top 25 Analytics Leaders Award from the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia (IAPA), IBM Faculty Awards, Deakin Faculty Research Excellence Award, and Deakin Vice-Chancellor's Award for Value Innovation for his leadership of the IBM Centre of Excellence in Business Analytics. He is also an elected Fellow of the Australian Computer Society.
Mr. Danny HUNG Chun Kit
Lecturer
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Danny transitioned from a Specialty Nurse to a Lecturer in Nursing at the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University. With a background in clinical improvement projects in clinical setting, such as CPR quality enhancement training, he now focuses on enhancing nursing education through technology. He is currently trialing an AI-based emergency triage tool to improve student learning and nursing teaching.
Dr. Doris CHONG Yin Kei
Head of Department in Physiotherapy and Associate Professor
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Doris is currently the Head of the Physiotherapy Department and Associate Professor at the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Before joining HKMU, she served in various academic and clinical positions both locally and overseas for over 20 years. Academically, she is dedicated to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, as evidenced by her work in authentic assessment, gamification, and interprofessional education. Doris is deeply committed to using assessment as a tool to enhance learning, both in traditional classroom settings and in clinical education environments.
This workshop showcases the practical outcomes from the project “Enhancing educational effectiveness and efficiency through AI-empowered free and online tools”, which is funded by the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) – a program supporting initiatives to improve teaching and learning quality in Hong Kong’s self-financing post-secondary sector.
Participants will explore how AI tools can be used to convert existing educational materials into a variety of engaging formats, including podcasts in multiple languages, interactive courseware, dynamic web pages, mind maps, and effective review questions, etc. The workshop features demonstrations and real-world case studies, illustrating how to implement both off-the-shelf AI tools and custom-built AI agents designed to address specific pedagogical challenges.
Speaker
Duan Chenggui
Manager
School of Open Learning
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Duan Chenggui is the Manager at the School of Open Learning, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU). Prior to this role, he served as a Research Associate at the HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE), and the Manager for academic programmes at the China Representative Office of the Open University of the United Kingdom (OUUK) in Beijing.
Duan’s research centers on open educational practices, distance education, online teaching, and related areas such as open educational resources (OER) and open-source software. He has authored three books, published over 20 academic papers, and successfully completed eight research and development projects in innovative and open education. Over the years, he has earned several prestigious accolades, including the Second Prize of the National Teaching Achievement Award (2023), the Special Prize of the Guangdong Provincial Education and Teaching Achievement Award (2021), and the First Prize for Outstanding Academic Works in the China University Press Book Award (2015).
With the support of:
Yum Tin Pui Paul
Assistant Project Manager
School of Open Learning
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Tao Zhenyang Aaron
Project Officer
School of Open Learning
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
