Antigua and Barbuda’s Education Minister, Daryll Matthew, joined global leaders, educators and technology experts in China this week for the 2026 World Digital Education Conference focused on the future of artificial intelligence in education.

The conference, held in Hangzhou from May 11 to 13, is being staged under the theme “AI+Education: Transformation, Development, Governance.” Discussions have centered on how artificial intelligence can modernize education systems, improve learning outcomes and support sustainable global development.

During the event, Matthew pointed to China’s rapid advancement in technology and innovation over the past several decades, describing the country as a global leader in machine learning, problem-solving and technological development.

“China has emerged over the last three or four decades as a global leader in technology, in problem solving, in machine learning and in thinking, in thought development,” Matthew said.

He added that Antigua and Barbuda hopes to eventually adopt some of the ideas and innovations being explored at the conference.

“And I’m hoping that we can over time adopt in my country of Antigua and Barbuda,” he said.

The conference has brought together ministers, tech executives and education specialists from around the world to examine how AI can drive transformation in education while promoting inclusive and secure governance frameworks.