In the first of the ST-SMU three-part series on AI in Higher Education, , SMU Provost Alan Chan, who is also Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Chair Professor of Inter-Religious Studies and Harmony (with courtesy appointment in the School of Social Sciences), spoke on balancing “artificial intelligence (AI) fluency” with human-centred learning and why SMU is moving beyond the classroom to solve real-world challenges. On SMU and Sengkang General Hospital’s "Sensors In-home for Elder Wellbeing” AI project, Prof Chan said the work is distinctive because the AI models and sensors are designed to be easy to interpret, so clinicians can understand why a risk is flagged based on changes in everyday behaviour, which allows caregivers and clinicians to intervene before any decline becomes severe, and supports independent living while ensuring human oversight. On the use of AI and independence and learning, he said that SMU views AI as a technology to enhance education, not replace it. He stated that the goal is for students to learn about AI, learn to use AI and learn with AI, but, most importantly, to learn beyond AI. He added that while AI is a powerful tool, over-reliance can hinder metacognitive development. The ST Education Forum 2026, held in partnership with SMU, will be held at the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law on 1 April, Wednesday.