APEC University Leaders Forum 2025: Harnessing AI for Inclusive Higher Education Across the Asia-Pacific

AI is reshaping work, transforming economies, and emerging as a powerful tool for tackling urgent societal challenges—from climate change and healthcare to education equity and digital inclusion. At the same time, it brings new complexities, requiring thoughtful responses to ethical, social, and workforce-related impacts.

For universities, understanding AI’s transformative potential is critical—not just to keep pace with technological change, but to actively contribute to solving complex global challenges. By embracing AI, institutions can lead in building a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. This means rethinking teaching, research, and community engagement to ensure students are prepared to thrive in—and shape—the AI-driven world.

To explore these themes, APRU and Pusan National University hosted the APEC University Leaders’ Forum (AULF) 2025 on May 12–13 at Jeju Island, Korea, alongside the APEC Education Ministers Meeting. The forum gathered nearly 100 participants, including 28 speakers from 40+ institutions across 13 APEC economies. Policy leaders, university presidents, AI experts, and multilateral representatives engaged in dynamic dialogue on AI’s impact on education and society in the Pacific Rim.

Key topics included:

• Leveraging AI to address regional challenges
• Expanding access to education and bridging digital divides
• Preparing students and up-skilling the workforce for the future of work
• Navigating ethical dilemmas and institutional adaptation

Through initiatives like AULF, APRU continues to champion global collaboration in higher education—advancing research, innovating teaching, and driving meaningful engagement to harness AI’s potential for positive change across the Pacific Rim and beyond.