Classical Wisdom in the Age of AI: Bridging Cultures and Advancing Pedagogy through Digital Humanities.

Author name and affiliation: Professor Simon Mahony. Emeritus Professor of Digital Humanities, Department of Information Studies, University College London; Visiting Professor, Department of Information Management, Peking University. Title: Classical Wisdom in the Age of AI: Bridging Cultures and Advancing Pedagogy through Digital Humanities. 人工智能时代的古典智慧：通过数字人文弥合文化和推进教育学 Keywords Digital Humanities, Artificial Intelligence, Classical Wisdom, Pedagogy, Digital Literacy, Ethical AI In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), the digital transformation of education and research is reshaping how we understand, communicate, and preserve human knowledge. In the context of the “wisdom singularity” proposed by CDH2025, this presentation explores the intersection of AI, classical wisdom, and digital humanities (DH), with a focus on how these fields can foster intercultural understanding and pedagogical innovation in a globalised, multilingual, and multicultural world. The humanities have long been concerned with the human condition, what it means to be human across time, space, and culture. Digital Humanities extends this inquiry by integrating computational methods into the study of human experience and culture, enabling new forms of analysis, visualisation, and collaboration. In this context, AI is not merely a tool but increasingly a co-creator in the research process, offering new possibilities for interpretation, engagement, and the communication of ideas and results. The rapid digital development, and the research into AI that it provokes, makes this an urgent and vital context for addressing these questions. As technology evolves in the AI era, it presents both opportunities and challenges for cultural exchange, education, and ethical governance. This presentation argues that the wisdom embedded in classical literature, particularly when studied through digital platforms, can serve as a bridge between cultures, enabling students and scholars to engage with diverse worldviews and historical experiences. It also helps to clarify both the similarities and differences between traditions, encouraging reflection on positionality and global perspective in the digital age. Drawing on over two decades of experience in teaching and research, the presentation will showcase successful digital platforms and collaborative projects that have enriched the study of classical texts. These include multilingual corpora, AI-assisted annotation tools, and interactive learning environments that make ancient wisdom accessible to a global audience. For example, AI can guide students in exploring both Chinese and Western classical literature through semantic analysis, cross-linguistic comparison, and visual storytelling, opening new pathways for intercultural dialogue. In educational contexts, such tools not only enhance student engagement but also support the cultivation of critical digital literacy skills that are essential not only in academia but also in today’s workplace. However, the integration of AI into education and research also raises important ethical concerns. Generative AI systems are shaped by the data that they are trained on, often reflecting biases and assumptions that may go unexamined. In fields like DH, where interpretation and context are central, the risks of misrepresentation and epistemic opacity are significant as the processes are not fully understood making reproducibility and hence verifiability (the cornerstones of scientific or any other research process) impossible. This presentation will address these challenges by proposing strategies for ethical AI use, including transparent data practices, critical pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In line with CDH2025’s themes of Smart Education Innovation, and Digital Ethics, this talk advocates for a digital humanities approach that is both technologically advanced and ethically grounded. It will also situate these developments within the broader history of information literacy, now generally reframed as digital literacy, and its evolving role in university curricula. As AI reshapes course design, assessment, and scholarly communication, educators must adapt their strategic and pedagogical frameworks to ensure that students are not only technologically proficient but also ethically and culturally aware. Aligned with the conference theme, this presentation emphasises the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and international cooperation in the digital age. Digital Humanities is uniquely positioned within this continuum. It advocates for the use of AI and DH tools to promote mutual understanding, overcome linguistic and cultural barriers, and build a more inclusive and interconnected global academic community.