The 19th ASEF Classroom Network (ASEFClassNet19) on “Future-Ready Teaching: Human Agency in the Age of AI”, officially commenced in mid-April 2026, bringing together over 150 educators from across 42 Asian and European countries to explore the evolving role of teachers in an AI-driven world. Held in a hybrid format, online and in Innsbruck, Austria, the programme set the stage for capacity building among secondary, high and vocational school educators on “Future-Ready Teaching: Human Agency in the Age of AI”.
The project started with an inspiring opening session where distinguished speakers underscored the importance of maintaining human-centered values in education while embracing technological innovation with AIED tools.
Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska, Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), welcomed participants by highlighting ASEF’s continued commitment to fostering cross-regional collaboration and empowering educators to navigate emerging challenges. She emphasised that as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into classrooms, the role of teachers as ethical guides, facilitators of critical thinking, and agents of change becomes even more essential.
Professor Dr Regine Mathias, Rector of Pädagogische Hochschule Tirol (PH Tyrol), Austria, reflected on the responsibility of teacher education institutions in preparing educators for uncertain futures. She stressed the need for pedagogical approaches that not only incorporate AI tools but also strengthen human agency, creativity, and reflective practice.
Magister Patrick Pallhuber, Research Fellow and University Professor at PH Tyrol, highlighted the importance of research-informed practice in understanding how AI can be meaningfully integrated into teaching and learning.
Mr Jason Means, Director of Management and Transfer at Knowledge in Crisis, Central European University, Austria, brought attention to the broader societal and educational shifts driven by technological disruption. He emphasised the importance of awareness on misinformation and collaborative knowledge exchange in times of rapid change.
The project has now reached an exciting milestone, marking the completion of its Team Learning phase. Building on the foundations of the Self-Learning and Team-Learning journey, participants have started to collaborate, innovate, and co-design Innovative Teaching Practice (ITP), a key outcome of the project.
Working in diverse, cross-cultural teams and supported by experienced mentors, participants designed 32 Innovative Teaching Practices (ITPs) under the project’s theme “Future-Ready Teaching: Human Agency in the Age of AI.” These practices reflect a shared commitment to reimagining education, placing human agency, ethical considerations, and inclusive design at the heart of AI-enabled teaching and learning.
The Team Learning phase has been a dynamic space for exchange, where participants brought together perspectives from different education systems, challenged assumptions, and co-developed practical, classroom-ready solutions. The result is a collection of outstanding and timely ITPs that not only integrate AI meaningfully but also empower learners to think critically, act responsibly, and navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
The journey now moves into its next phase: implementation. Over the coming months, participants will pilot their co-designed ITPs in their own classrooms over a period of 4–5 weeks. This stage will allow participants to test, adapt, and refine their approaches in real-classroom contexts, while continuing to learn from peers across borders.
ASEFClassNet19 is a growing community of educators committed to shaping the future of teaching and learning together. As these innovative practices come to life in classrooms across 42 Asian and European countries, they hold the potential to create meaningful impact for both teachers and learners.
Stay tuned as we follow this journey from collaboration to classroom transformation!
Curious to learn more about the project? Click here.
Have questions? Write to us at: classnet@asef.org