Conference on AI in education is viewed by thousands

“[Artificial Intelligence] in Education: Transformations, Challenges, and Pathways Forward” generated more than 100,000 combined views across livestream platforms, engaging audiences from across the Philippines and abroad.

Far Eastern University (FEU), through the Asian Journal on Perspectives in Education (AJPE), brought together educators, researchers, administrators, policymakers, and students to examine the theme during its International Conference on Multiperspectives in Education (ICOME) last Dec. 3 to 5.

Conducted fully online via Microsoft Teams and livestreamed on FEU and AJPE’s official Facebook pages, ICOME—recognized as one of the first large-scale, open, and free international conferences on AI in Education in the Philippines—convened over 1,000 active participants.

Leadership and Organization

The online and livestreamed ICOME was held with the support of the FEU administration and the Academic Affairs Office, under the leadership of Dr. Ma. Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

It was directed by Dr. Romualdo A. Mabuan, while Dr. Rosarito T. Suatengco served as co-director; Suatengco also spoke in the plenary. The event was further strengthened by the collaboration of the Marketing and Communication Office, Information Technology Services, Media Center, and the Center for Teaching and Learning, whose technical, promotional, and logistical support ensured seamless delivery throughout the conference.

Global and Local

 The conference featured plenary speakers from the Philippines and abroad, whose talks framed AI not merely as a technological tool but as a transformative force requiring ethical, inclusive, and human-centered approaches: Dr. Curtis J. Bonk (Indiana University, USA); Dr. Gerardo L. Blanco (Boston College, USA); Dr. Hyunkyung Lee (FEU Manila); Dr. Jasmine A. Jain (Taylor’s University, Malaysia); Michael Schapiro (Regional English Language Office, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines); Dr. Rommel L. Bunuan (FEU Manila); and Dr. Princess Zarla J. Raguindin (Philippine Normal University, Manila).

Complementing the plenaries was a discussion featuring discussants from leading Philippine institutions, offering grounded perspectives on AI-driven educational transformation: Dr. Sam Rhoy B. Dela Cruz (FEU Manila, panel moderator); Dr. Joseph R. Jintalan (FEU Manila); Dr. Ma. Lourdes Nery-Cura (Asian Institute of Management); Dr. Hajji R. Palmero (National Educators Academy of the Philippines); Dr. Aurelio P. Vilbar (University of the Philippines-Cebu); and Dr. Irish Mae Fernandez-Dalona (Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology).

Research, Dialogue, and Capacity Building

The conference advanced rigorous research, critical dialogue, and capacity building through two hands-on research workshops, one high-level panel discussion, and over 60 parallel paper presentations distributed across six thematic tracks: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; Equity and Inclusion; Languages; Leadership and Policy; Data and Analytics; and Futures and Sustainability in Education.

A distinctive feature of the conference was the active involvement of doctoral, master’s, and teacher certificate program students from FEU, who served as session chairs, co-chairs, and committee members.

Sustaining Scholarship Beyond the Conference

It also emphasized pathways for sustaining scholarly work beyond the conference. Participants were introduced to publication opportunities with the AJPE through a dedicated session led by John Angelo V. De Leon, managing editor of AJPE. In addition, the department chairperson of the FEU Institute of Education Graduate Studies and Transnational Education, presented the nstitute’s graduate programs and scholarship opportunities, highlighting avenues for continued research, professional growth, and international academic engagement.

Recognizing Research Excellence

Another highlight of ICOME was its Day 2 parallel paper presentations. From these sessions, six Best Paper Presenter Awardees were recognized for excellence in scholarly communication: Micah Loubelle A. Doronila and Jonna Marie Lim (De La Salle University),GenAI Writing Perceptions in the Global South; Patrick Armario (Divine Word College of Legazpi), Learning Activities Utilizing Artificial Intelligence Tools in Teaching Grade 7 Biology; Alvin M. Ramos (FEU Manila), Fostering Learning Performance in an AI-Enhanced Teacher Education; Mandrake P. Calangian (FEU Institute of Technology)Fairness in AI-Driven Education: A Philosophical Inquiry; Allan M. Manaloto, Alex S. Borromero, and Rowena P. Santos (Bulacan State University), Developing the Predictive Model of AI Usage in Nursing Education (PMAI-NE); and Jay R. San Pedro (iACADEMY)Collaborative AI in Improving Learning Outcomes in Data Analytics.

Best Paper Awards

From over 20 full paper submissions, six finalists were shortlisted and reviewed. The Best Paper Award winners were announced during the closing ceremonies: first, Joanna Ruth S. Paloma & Manuel Caingcoy (Bukidnon State University), Teacher vs. AI: Students’ Perceptions of Feedback in Academic Writingi; second, Mary Yole Apple Declaro-Ruedas andEmmanuel G. Ruedas (Occidental Mindoro State College), Utilization of AI Tools in Research Writing of Senior High School Students; third, Shirley D. Frigillano, Sherryl N. Buño, and Clark Antiquera (Iloilo Science and Technology University, Miagao Campus),Generative Artificial Intelligence and Pre-Service Teachers’ Writing Proficiency.

Forward-looking Academic Milestone

This conference affirmed FEU’s leadership in advancing ethical, inclusive, and research-informed conversations on AI in education. Beyond knowledge-sharing, the conference fostered collaboration, critical reflection, and scholarly rigor, marking a milestone in Philippine and regional educational discourse.

As emphasized during the closing ceremonies, ICOME was not merely a conference, but a collective commitment to shaping education that is innovative, humane, and future-ready.