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On April 21, 2026, the Department of Language and Literacy Education invited Professor Yi Yuan-pei from the Center for General Education at National Taichung University of Education to deliver a keynote speech titled "The Surge of AI: Discussing the Constants and Variables in Language Teaching."

Professor Yi began by asking the audience: "What exactly can we achieve with AI in our daily lives?" The responses were diverse, ranging from basic information retrieval to efficient academic assistance. However, a student’s hesitation highlighted the boundaries of technology—even if AI can generate fluent sentences, it consistently fails to authentically convey the deepest emotions of a human being. This conversation led to the central theme of the lecture: in an era where technology becomes increasingly precise and cold, we must return to the essence of "humanities."

The lecturer provided a profound yet accessible analysis, noting that while AI possesses immense computational power, it lacks lived experience and emotional weight. This is precisely where the enduring value of language education lies in the AI era. Language education is built upon unchangeable foundations, primarily "handwriting" and "recitation." The aesthetics of Chinese characters do not change with technological progress, as they are governed by the principle of mastery through practice. Recitation, on the other hand, is the art of sound. Through a teacher’s emotional and rhythmic reading, words cease to be mere symbols on paper and instead become resonances full of vitality. This warmth, transmitted from human to human, serves as the starting point for students to imitate and perceive beauty—a soul-stirring vibration that AI simply cannot simulate.

Furthermore, the persistence of language education is meant to safeguard our "perception" of life. We study language to maintain a sharp awareness in a chaotic world and to learn how to express ourselves precisely in our own words, rather than relying on modularized drafts. Such literacy grants us the "right to choose," ensuring we do not lose our way in the vast ocean of information and allowing us to build independent character with judgment and aesthetic values. In this educational process, the role of the teacher evolves; the best teachers are no longer just purveyors of knowledge, but "guides of the soul," leading students to find their own paths of thinking alongside AI assistance.

        At the conclusion of the speech, Professor Yi encouraged everyone with a warm and firm tone. Despite the rapid changes in the external environment and the continuous waves of technological advancement, as long as we hold onto our ideals and cherish the humanistic values within us, we can continue to refine ourselves while coexisting with technology. This was not just a lecture on language, but a profound self-expectation. May we all, with the help of these tools, remain true to our original intentions and ultimately grow into warmer, more complete versions of ourselves.