About the Symposium

The International Symposium on Ethics in Science and Technology is a flagship annual conference organized by the Scientific Ethical Construction Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Upholding the spirit of openness, equality, rationality, and shared responsibility, the symposium serves as a high-level international platform for exchanging ideas, advancing ethical governance, and promoting responsible innovation in science and technology.

Since 2024, the symposium has been convened as biennial international conference. The inaugural International Symposium on Ethics in Science and Technology was successfully held in Shanghai in October 2024. The second symposium will take place in Haikou, Hainan Province, in November and will be jointly organized by the CAS Research Center of Scientific Norms and Ethics and Hainan Medical University.

Symposium Dates

November 3–5, 2026 (3 days)

Important Dates

Symposium dates: November 4, 2026

Arrival & registration: November 3 (afternoon) or November 3 morning

Venue & Location

Haikou, Hainan Province, China

Organizing Bodies

Hosted by

Scientific Ethical Construction Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Co-organized by

CAS Research Center of Scientific Norms and Ethics (based at Institutes of Science and Development, CAS) & Hainan Medical University

Symposium Chair

Academician, Chair of the 8th Scientific Integrity Committee, CAS Academic Divisions.

Theme & Thematic Tracks

Artificial Intelligence and Education

The symposium will bring together researchers, educators, policymakers, technology experts, and ethics scholars from around the world to explore the opportunities, challenges, and ethical implications arising from the growing integration of artificial intelligence into education.

The 2026 symposium is centered on "Artificial Intelligence and Education" and will examine the subject through two interrelated dimensions: the responsible application of AI within existing educational systems and its longer-term implications for the purposes, values, structures, and governance of education.

Track 1: AI-Enabled Education – Empowerment within existing frameworks

AI as a "super assistant" for teachers: reducing administrative burdens, enhancing efficiency

Personalized learning: from concept to scalable practice

Process-oriented assessment & redefinion of academic integrity

Bridging the digital divide and tackling students' use of AI for assignments

Building ethical safeguards for the integration of AI into classrooms

Track 2: AI-Reshaping Education – Long-term logic, values, and structural transformation

Redefining the meaning and purpose of learning in an era of abundant and redily accessible knowledge

Transformating the functions of educational institutinons and reshaping educational ecosystems

The evolving role of educators: from knowledge transmitters to mentors & facilitators

Safeguarding human agency in increasingly algorithm-mediated learning environment

Data sovereignty, privacy protection, and the ethical boundaries of technological intervention

Through multidisciplinary and cross-cultural dialogue, the symposium aims to provide actionable insights for today's education transformation while helping to shape an ethical vision for the future of learning.

Core Ethical Questions & Governance Priorities

Immediate challenges

How can AI reduce educators' workloads without undermining their professional skills, judgment, and autonomy? Ensuring fairness and accessibility when scaling AI-driven personalized learning

Redesigning evaluation methods to preserve academic rigor

Preventing AI misuse while encouraging innovation literacy

Long-term horizons

What fundamental purposes should education serve when knowledge is ubiquitous?

How can human dignity, autonomy, and cultural diversity be safeguarded?

Governance frameworks for cross-border AI education data flows

Designing transparent, accountable AI systems that serve the public good

Previous edition

The inaugural International Symposium on Ethics in Science and Technology was held in Shanghai, October 2024. It brought together leading experts from over 14 countries and generating significant recommendations on emerging technology ethics.

Language

English (simultaneous interpretation may be provided)

Participation & Contacts

The symposium primarily operates on an invitation basis for distinguished speakers and experts. A limited places may be available for researchers and policymakers working on AI ethics & education. For enquiries, registration requests, or partnership opportunities, please contact the Symposium Secretariat:

Email:tanjianying@casisd.cn

For updates will be provided by email.

Engagement & Community Building

The symposium is designed as an interactive forum. Participants are encouraged to join focused breakout sessions and contribute to consensus statement on ethical principles for AI in education. The statement will be submitted to policy bodies and international partners.

Selected contributions may be considered for publication in a special issue of a partner journal on technology ethics and educational transformation (further details to be announced).

Contact Us

For any inquiries: tanjianying@casisd.cn