2026-05-19

On May 15, the Innovation Academy at the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) hosted an “SDGs × AI Sustainability Proposal” workshop, inviting instructor Hsu Ming-Feng from the Chaobang Educational and Cultural Foundation to guide students in exploring how technology and generative artificial intelligence can respond to real-world sustainability challenges through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The workshop aimed to cultivate interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving abilities by encouraging students to connect technological innovation with environmental and social issues.

NUK’s Innovation Academy has long promoted interdisciplinary learning and student-centered education, with a strong emphasis on sustainability literacy and practical skills development. Under the theme “AI × SDGs,” the workshop combined board game simulations, issue analysis, and AI tool applications to help students rethink how technology can contribute to sustainable solutions in everyday life and society.

The program began with the interactive “2030 SDGs Game,” through which Hsu introduced students to the core concepts of the SDGs. In simulated scenarios, participants completed project-based missions while experiencing the complex trade-offs often involved in sustainable development.

Students explored dilemmas such as:

• Economic growth versus environmental protection
• Infrastructure development versus social equity
• Resource allocation and long-term sustainability

Through this immersive learning process, students came to realize that sustainability is not an abstract slogan but an issue deeply connected to daily life.

Several students shared reflections during the workshop, commenting:

“This was the first time I truly understood what the SDGs mean.”

and

“I didn’t realize sustainability issues were so closely connected to our lives.”

The second phase of the workshop introduced the “SDGs Exploration Compass,” a framework guiding students to analyze issues from environmental, economic, and social perspectives.

Participants selected photographs that resonated with them personally and used them as discussion prompts. Through a World Café dialogue format, students exchanged ideas across different groups, gradually developing the ability to identify problems, analyze impacts, and propose potential solutions while strengthening interdisciplinary communication skills.

The final session focused on artificial intelligence applications.

Hsu guided students in learning prompt design techniques and demonstrated how AI tools can assist in generating sustainability proposals and addressing social issues. He also introduced several international examples of AI-driven sustainability innovation.

One featured example discussed Japan’s development of AI-assisted remote medical technologies, which could potentially support healthcare access in rural regions and simulate cross-border medical procedures in the future. The example was connected to United Nations SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, illustrating how advanced technology may help expand access to healthcare services in underserved areas.

Through the workshop, students not only gained practical exposure to generative AI tools but also broadened their understanding of how emerging technologies can intersect with sustainability, public welfare, and future global development.

#SDG4 #SDG9 #SDG17