The talk will delve into current AI developments, covering stochastic, symbolic, and generative AI, and their significant impact on the global job market. We’ll explore how these technologies, particularly generative AI, are already changing job roles and skill requirements. The discussion will then shift to examining the potential of agentic AI and the long-term implications of AI technologies.

A key focus will be on how these trends specifically impact low and middle-income countries. Unlike in developed nations where AI may initially augment highly-skilled, white-collar jobs, the impact on developing economies may be slower but potentially more disruptive. The talk will attempt to provide educators with a framework to anticipate these changes, ensuring that educational programs can evolve to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in an AI-powered future.

The recent advance in artificial intelligence, in particular generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and large models, provides an exciting paradigm shift and indeed is transforming the world around us, from healthcare and education to entertainment and every decision-making. In this talk, we will discuss the urgency of AI literacy in higher education sector, introduce the AI teaching programs in Macquarie University, and outline the strategic roadmaps that universities should be taken.

The rapidly growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), including large language models (LLMs), requires incorporating this factor into the teaching process at all levels of education, including higher education. One area where this aspect is particularly important is teaching computer science in the AI era, although the presence of AI will also impact other professions. Factors such as what engineering careers will look like once young people begin their studies and graduate are particularly important. The job market is also expected to change over the next four to five years, but decisions regarding how to teach AI, integrate it into teaching methods, and prepare current students for the new reality must be made now. Finally, teachers and students need guidance on how to properly use AI, enabling the acquisition of intended knowledge and skills while meeting the ethical standards of the academic community.

AI is reshaping society with major effects on education, research, and industry. In education, adaptive platforms, tutoring systems, and automated grading can personalize learning and expand access, yet they may erode traditional practices and trust in assessment. This session examines these trade-offs and how AI could partner in lifelong learning and reframe teaching and careers. In research, AI speeds discovery through powerful analytics, prediction, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, while raising risks of fabricated findings and integrity lapses. Across industries—healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and the creative sector—AI drives innovation via automation, analytics, and generative tools but also brings displacement, ethical dilemmas, and regulatory needs. The trajectory depends on aligning progress with fairness, transparency, accountability, and human-centered values.