Improving Artificial Intelligence for Intercultural Understanding

Students from the United States and South Korea took part in profound and enlightening discussions during their IVECA Live Classes on December 11th and 13th. Tackling the topic of “Promoting Cultural Diversity in AI”, students spent the last several months researching and analyzing the increased use of Artificial Intelligence within their countries and the impact these programs have had on society.

South Korean students critically analyzed the effects of AI bias from creating cases of misunderstanding and discrimination between individuals to the erosion of trust and instability of international partnerships. Acknowledging the potential for AI to impact direct users through responses given to questions, South Korean students also touched on other possible effects of AI bias, including the issue of convincing material, such as “deep fakes” being used to influence large groups of people through social media. Students also noted the difference between the use of AI in the two countries. The students claimed that one way to bridge the gap between diverse groups was to ensure access to technology across all social groups. As one student thoughtfully suggested, “It is important to understand and fix the unfairness in AI” by promoting intercultural learning through accessible cost-effective education and avoiding exclusive technologies.

Meanwhile, student groups from the United States also shared their perspective on cultural bias in AI, noting several contributing factors and ways to avoid increased bias in the future. As one group explained, monoculturalism (the policy or process of supporting, advocating, or allowing the expression of the culture of a single social or ethnic group) stems from the suppression of differing voices and opinions. Therefore, they argued that creating diversity in AI requires algorithms that “overrules anything that resembles monoculturalism” while also acknowledging that further education on the subject is necessary on the user’s end. They suggest AI programs contain “a warning label that alerts the questioner if the given response will contain cultural bias”. Another American student group suggested a way to develop unbiased AI programs from the start by including a balanced group of diverse programmers, writers, and researchers in the algorithm creation before combining all sources of input into one.

Agreeing on the importance of fair, unbiased artificial intelligence was easy. Students from both countries shared the position of understanding that AI, while an invaluable asset to modern day society, must also be carefully integrated with balanced sources of information to avoid increasing impact on users around the globe. Further solidifying the sense of community between the two schools, students participated in sharing cultural performances, Q&A sessions, and thoughtful farewells after presentations had finished.

Brought together through serious discussion, critical insight, laughter, and even cheeky jokes from each side of the globe, the teenagers in both countries were the image of global citizenship. By being part of the conversation around cultural bias, they actively became part of the solution.

#IVECA #LiveClass #InterculturalExchange #GlobalCitizenshipEducation #InterculturalEducation #21stCenturyEducation

Four Countries: Making Connections and Creating Change

Coming together in two Live Classes on November 21 and December 12, partner schools in Sri Lanka and China, as well as South Korea and the United States exemplified the importance of global citizenship education and intercultural competence. The participating students from all four countries tackled pressing issues they observed from local and global perspectives.

Focusing on issues such as the economic crisis, human rights, natural disasters and the human-wildlife conflict, Sri Lankan students shared an invaluable viewpoint on local challenges within their country. They emphasized the need for improved economic systems, environmental protections, and change in approach to wildlife–particularly the national symbol–the elephant. Meanwhile, Chinese students took the time to share their views on matters such as the food crisis, adolescent mental health, and psychological well-being. Giving critical insight into these issues, students shared why we should all be coming together to solve these problems without delay. The two groups of students explored the impacts of these challenges within their countries, enlightening one another in unexpected ways. Truly, the similarities within challenges the students face from different locations and their shared drive to solve them for global impact prove just how interconnected we all are as global citizens.

Korean students and their American counterparts approached similar issues through a different lens, reflecting on how personal spending can impact one’s community with the potential to create a domino effect throughout the nation. Korean students discovered, through monitoring their own spending and saving habits, that their monetary habits could affect change in their communities. Being more conscious of where their money is spent, the sustainability of the items they buy, and the contributions they make to worthy causes could make a big difference. Their partners in the United States expanded on these ideas, connecting individual spending to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. From investing in sustainable energy, human rights organizations and charities such as Habitat for Humanity and the World Food Program, the students emphasized their common goals, exemplifying global citizens who understand individuals’ impact on the larger society and take action for the solution, “If we can convince more people in the U.S. to direct their spending towards helpful organizations, we can fix [our problems].” 

While the issues were pressing, the cross-cultural collaboration was inspiring and full of rich, meaningful discourse, fostering a true sense of camaraderie. Towards the end of each Live Class, students also eagerly shared cultural performances, showcasing peeks into their daily lives. Chinese and Sri Lankan students shared some of their rich cultural traditions. Several Sri Lankan students performed a beautiful traditional melody and the class shared a video overviewing traditional customs. Chinese students crafted a delicately lit lantern and displayed fantastic calligraphy. During their Live Class, one Korean student played a traditional instrument, the dae-geum, while American students showed off skills in various sports such as volleyball, golf and basketball. 

Though the students began with nervous excitement and shared their thoughts with caution, they soon realized that while they may be from dynamic backgrounds in culture and environment, their potential for collaboration and creating change for a better humanity is universal. Perfectly summarizing the feeling of intercultural understanding and new-found friendship, a Korean student shared, “Even though we have known each other for a short time, I believe that this meeting will be a small spark that will light our future.”

By having opportunities to understand similarities in life and acknowledge the locally specific differences that make them each an invaluable part of the global community through IVECA’s virtual exchange, the students have made strides in their intercultural competence and become stronger global citizens. Leaving the sessions with new friendships and fresh perspectives, the students certainly left a lasting impact on one another and will continue to change the world around them for the better.

#IVECA #LiveClass #InterculturalExchange #GlobalCitizenshipEducation #InterculturalEducation #21stCenturyEducation 

A Virtual Adventure Between a U.S. and South Korean Elementary School

In an era where technology has made the world a smaller place, two elementary school classes from opposite ends of the globe embarked on a thrilling virtual adventure by sharing each other's special places in their countries. On December 6th, the classrooms, one on the West Coast of the United States and the other nestled in central South Korea, came together for an enriching exchange that overcame the obstacle of distance. The journey began with the students introducing themselves live through video, each bubbling with excitement and curiosity. The U.S. students proudly showcased their classroom’s “Hello from California” banner, while the South Korean counterparts shared glimpses of their vibrant and bustling schools. 

One of the highlights of this virtual exchange was when both classes took turns presenting special places in their respective countries. With infectious enthusiasm, U.S. students shared the enchanting wonders of the Great Wolf Lodge, the historical Thomas Griswold House in Covina, the iconic In-n-Out Burger, and the heartwarming environment of their elementary school. A U.S. student shared, “I think Great Wolf Lodge is a fun and energetic place. It’s special because this place is really fun and it is a place I can enjoy with my family.” Meanwhile, the South Korean students transported their American friends from the thrilling rides of Lotte World to the sweet aromas of Seongsim Dang, a famous bakery in Daejeon, Korea. A Korean student shared, “I’m proud to have such a famous place in my city.” Continuing the virtual field trip around Korea, students described the mesmerizing underwater world of COEX Aquarium. The international partners felt proud to share their special places with IVECA friends.

As the virtual international exchange ended, the students on both ends of the connection felt a profound sense of camaraderie. After the presentations had finished, a U.S. student read aloud their farewell letter. “IVECA was really interesting and was more than I expected when I first joined! I really enjoy meeting new people from around the world and learning about their culture, but since I joined IVECA, learning about South Korea’s interesting culture, I’m actually happy that I finally got to know you…THANK YOU!!!” The world suddenly felt a little smaller, and the bonds of friendship created during this delightful exchange will leave an impact for a lifetime. In a world filled with possibilities, these young minds have proven that even the smallest gestures of connection can inspire joy capable of resonating across continents. The virtual journey between these two elementary schools serves as a testament to the power of education, curiosity, and the universal language of happiness.

#IVECA #LiveClass #InterculturalExchange #GlobalCitizenshipEducation #InterculturalEducation #21stCenturyEducation #ElementarySchools