On January 24, the 2025 Annual Conference of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Education Information Science and Technology (F0701) was grandly opened at Zhejiang University under the theme "Empowering Education with Digital Intelligence for a New Future."

The conference aimed to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the National Education Congress, promote in-depth interdisciplinary research between natural sciences and education, explore how intelligent technologies can drive educational innovation in the era of artificial intelligence, advance China’s digital education transformation, and contribute to building a strong education system. Zhou Jianghong, Zhejiang University’s Vice President and Kan Yue, Dean of the School of Education, Zhejiang University delivered opening remarks. Keynote speeches were given by Xie Guo, Director of Division II, Department of Information Sciences at the NSFC; Zheng Qinghua, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and President of Tongji University; and Li Yongzhi, President of China National Academy of Educational Sciences (CNAES), Director of Nation Office for Education Sciences Planning (NOESP).

In his keynote speech, Educational Research in the Age of Intelligence, Li Yongzhi highlighted that the deep integration of AI and education is reshaping educational paradigms and driving a shift in educational research methodologies. He emphasized that education research now faces higher demands for forward-looking leadership and practice-oriented innovation, requiring scientific support and creative solutions in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. China has already established a three-tiered research system in educational science, consisting of NSFC, national-level major and key science and technology projects, and NOESP. These three systems work together across fundamental scientific research, evidence-based studies, technological breakthroughs, and theoretical advancements to promote educational innovation and development, providing comprehensive support for the construction of an intelligent education ecosystem.

Li Yongzhi emphasized the need to establish a nationally guided framework for scientific research in the education sector. This can be achieved through cross-fund collaboration, resource sharing, and coordinated innovation to create joint funding tracks that integrate the three-tiered system, forming a full-chain knowledge production process and maximizing the efficient use of public educational research resources. By implementing innovative measures such as jointly setting research directions, co-designing topics, co-developing projects, sharing research outcomes, and building collaborative platforms, education research can shift from fragmented efforts to a more coordinated approach, providing systematic support for the development of a strong education system.

The conference was held in a hybrid format, combining online and offline participation. Nearly 500 representatives and guests from renowned universities, research institutions, and industry enterprises attended the event in person.