The 8th China Festival of Education hosted by Wellington College China brought together over 70 speakers and more than 800 attendees from around the world to discuss the future of education in Shanghai on Saturday.

These thought leaders in academia, mental health, technology, finance and business also discussed how education will adapt in the face of rapid societal change.

"Change is the only constant, and with each passing day, the pace of that change only seems to accelerate," said Julian Jeffrey, chief executive master of Wellington College China.

"By remaining vigilant, informed and flexible, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities that these changes present. The discussions we have at the festival inspire fresh thinking. They equip us with the tools we need to adapt, grow and ensure that our education system keeps pace with the ever-evolving needs of our young learners," he said.

This year's festival debuted the first-ever parent panel discussions. Many Wellington College China parents are leaders in academics, finance, biotech, AI and robotics, sharing unique perspectives on how to equip children for an increasingly complex future.

The day was therefore punctuated with panels featuring parent representatives from around the Wellington College China group, discussing salient issues around preparing children for the revolutionary technological changes they are to face in the future.

AI and its profound implications for education was a key theme of the day. Zhao Yong, a professor at the University of Kansas in the United States and the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the importance of leveraging AI's capabilities while at the same time developing unique human skills that machines struggle to replicate.

Beyond AI, the festival featured a wide range of sessions that tackled important issues in education, such as nurturing empathy and belonging, leadership, developing global competence, and climate and environmental sustainability.