Mr. Khristian G. Kikuchi, Dean of the College of Computer and Information Science at Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL), has been selected to participate in the 5th ASEF Higher Education Innovation Laboratory (ASEFInnoLab5), a prestigious international program hosted by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). This year’s edition centers on the timely theme, “Universities’ Role in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Ecosystems.”

Held from May 2 to June 27, 2024, ASEFInnoLab5 brings together a carefully selected group of higher education leaders from across Asia and Europe for a nine-week virtual peer-learning journey, culminating in an on-site session in Shanghai, China from October 21 to 25, 2024, for select participants. The program fosters cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of a joint position paper exploring universities’ contributions to the evolving AI landscape.

Dean Kikuchi’s nomination was endorsed by the Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL) as part of Mapúa MCL’s efforts to promote internationalization and globalization of education outcomes. Assistant Vice-President for External Relations and Global Linkages Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina explained that “opportunities should be extended to Academic Leaders for them to share what we can say about AI. This is important in democratizing the academic discussion about it by opening avenues to share best practices. As I always say, local is global, and global is local. Hence, global issues will be more significant if local stakeholders contribute to the growing discourse.”

Reflecting on his experience, Dean Kikuchi shared, “Being part of ASEF InnoLab5 was challenging but really worth it. It took effort to join the online meetings every week and work on the position paper, but listening to the speakers taught me so much about how AI can help universities. The small group sessions also helped me see how useful AI is in different parts of our schools. Overall, I appreciate the importance of AI in improving both the administrative and academic operations in universities through this engagement.”

As part of the ASEFInnoLab5 initiative, Dean Kikuchi co-authored a position paper with Ms. Jessica Chagnard, Head of International Projects & Business Development at TBS Education in France, titled “AI Technology as an Accelerator of Multicultural Skills Development.” In their paper (pp. 119-124), they argue that AI, when thoughtfully applied, can foster intercultural understanding and strengthen global cooperation—provided it is implemented ethically and inclusively.

The paper introduces a four-scenario framework for the intersection of AI and multiculturalism, based on two key dimensions: equity of access to AI tools (high vs. low) and the design orientation of AI systems (human-centered vs. technology-centered):

1. Positive Societal Impact (High Equity, Human-Centered): AI promotes personalized, inclusive learning grounded in empathy and global citizenship.
2. Inclusive Multicultural Framework (High Equity, Tech-Centered): Broad access to AI boosts cross-cultural competency, though risks remain of shallow cultural engagement.
3. Community-Centric Multiculturalism (Low Equity, Human-Centered): Limited access reinforces local biases and reduces opportunities for intercultural dialogue.
4. Self-Determined Multiculturalism (Low Equity, Tech-Centered): A few dominant players shape global narratives, increasing the risk of cultural distortion.

To help higher education institutions navigate these futures, the authors propose four “no-regret” strategic moves: (1) support independent AI watchdogs and global ethical standards, (2) use AI to personalize learning experiences and promote digital well-being, (3) collaborate with technology providers to ensure practical, real-world applications, and (4) build international partnerships to co-develop and share culturally inclusive AI tools and resources.

The paper underscores that AI alone will not guarantee a more inclusive world but with intentional design and thoughtful academic leadership, universities can steer its development toward greater equity and cultural understanding. The call to action is clear: institutions must embed ethics, inclusivity, and global perspectives into every step of their AI strategies to prepare the next generation not just as tech-savvy professionals, but as globally aware and culturally competent leaders.

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna remains firmly committed to these principles, continuously investing in technological innovation, global engagement, and responsible AI integration into teaching and learning methodologies. Assistant Vice President and Director of the AI Integration Office, Engr. Rolando V. Bitor, lauded the Mapùa MCL teams responsible for this initiative referring to it as a ”milestone”; that is, to be able to share insights at a global platform on the role of Universities in AI education. Engr. Bitor emphasizes that the academic community of Mapúa MCL is the primary driving force in integrating Artificial Intelligence into our Educational Organizations Management System (EOMS), and shared optimism that other similar endeavors will be pushed in the future.

As the institution embraces its role in shaping future-ready learners, it upholds its vision of developing competent professionals who are not only equipped with cutting-edge skills but also driven by empathy, ethics, and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity.

Mapúa MCL invites fellow educators, researchers, and academic leaders to engage in dialogues, partnerships, and innovation initiatives that advance the responsible use of AI in higher education. Together, let us lead the transformation of our institutions into inclusive, future-focused, and globally connected learning communities.