The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Education

On November 18, 2025, the University of Central Asia (UCA) in Bishkek hosted a roundtable discussion on "Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Educational Process: Opportunities, Challenges, and Prospects." Organised by UCA in partnership with the American University in Central Asia and representatives from leading universities in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Cambodia, the event provided a professional platform for discussing modern approaches to AI in education.

The keynote speaker was Nurlan Omurov, Deputy Minister of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic. He focused on the development of AI in higher education, focusing on enhancing systemic digitalization and developing solutions such as creating new digital tools, enhancing the quality of research, and improving management processes at universities. During the session, experts discussed issues of ethics and academic integrity, personalised learning, faculty collaboration and generative AI tools, and the development of digital competencies for students and faculty. The participating universities presented practical examples of AI development, from chatbots and analytics training to the use of generative models in supporting research.

Maria Guzikova, Director of the UCA Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology, noted that AI has become not only a challenge but  also an opportunity to transform higher education:

"AI is changing the landscape of higher education—this is an unprecedented challenge and an opportunity for change. Two years after the implementation of ChatGPT, universities have already gained experience in adaptating, but now comes the integration phase: developing regulatory functions and supporting the collaborative efforts of universities in Central Asia."

Angelina Popova, Director of the AUCA Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology, noted that inter-university cooperation is essential. She also noted that discussions of AI in universities today primarily focus on generative models rather than classical machine learning, for which many universities are not yet ready. According to her "people, not technology, must always be at the centre," and education cannot be a "shortcut" or a technical substitute for human thinking.

Our next plans include the creation of an inter-university working group on the implementation of AI in education and the holding regular events to support professional dialogue between universities in Kyrgyzstan and the region.