While most University of Florida students raced back to Gainesville at the conclusion of Spring Break, three Gators instead departed for a unique trip to France. UF AI2 Center Student Club members Avery Teman, Matheus Kunzler Maldaner, and Dylan Shieh participated in this year’s Simuvaction on AI: AI and Education on a Global Stage.
"Simuvaction on AI is designed as an experiential learning environment where students are placed in the conditions of real-world decision-making on AI governance,” said Dr. Anne-Elisabeth Courrier, associate professor in comparative law at Nantes University in France and adjunct professor at the Emory School of Law. “Its mission is to move beyond traditional classroom approaches and enable students to engage directly with the complexity, uncertainty, and responsibility that define today’s AI-driven environments.
This prestigious experiential learning opportunity invited only 40 university students from across the globe to actively engage and contribute to this exercise of global governance on artificial intelligence.
“The Simuvaction on AI is a one-of-a-kind learning experience through which students engaged in critical discussions on the global effects and impacts of AI in contexts such as education and the workplace,” said Marquise McGriff, Assistant Director of AI Student Engagement and Experiential Learning for University of Florida’s AI2 Center, who attended the event with his students.
Replicating a meeting of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, interdisciplinary student teams of two were assigned specific roles such as national delegates, journalists or stakeholders. They were then tasked with weighing-in on how best to ensure that AI does not inadvertently exacerbate disparities on a global stage.
“Students take on roles to represent stakeholders across the world and as such, need to learn how technology companies in America view AI versus how local government officials in Brazil think about its impact on their citizens,” said McGriff. “If these stakeholders were to come together in real-life, how would they address challenges and create opportunities, all while balancing their own interests?”
Graduate and undergraduate students attending the Simuvaction came from varied fields, institutions and countries. They trained for several months prior through discussions, with support from professional partners. While they were encouraged to explore AI global governance, they also practiced professional and soft skills throughout the process.
“Having the opportunity to work with people from different countries, backgrounds, and perspectives while all bringing their own ideas about AI made the Simuvaction even more impactful,” said Dylan Shieh, a senior majoring in Sports Management. “These collaborations pushed me to consider how different systems and cultures shape the way AI can be implemented. This made the conference feel more meaningful because we were talking about the future of learning on a global scale.”
"What distinguishes Simuvaction is its focus on action under real conditions,” said Courrier, who created the program. “Students are required to mobilize technical knowledge, policy understanding, and critical analysis within limited timeframes, as they would in professional environments. They do not simply study AI — they use it to inform positions, negotiate, and co-create recommendations with peers from around the world.”
There was plenty of negotiation, as participants considered whether or not to draft an international-level recommendation report on policy.
“Students not only get hands-on experience using various technologies to research and make their case,” said McGriff, “but they also develop enduring skills needed for success in any country, company, or context such as conflict-resolution, critical thinking, cultural awareness, decision making, discernment, and discretion — because even in a simulation, you never want to show all your cards.”
At the conclusion of the Simulation exercise, the teams decided against a global level policy since AI integration is unique to each country, institution, and entity involved, and requires customization to best serve learners around the world.
“After playing a role in this conference, I view AI as a tool that we need to become flexible with,” said Shieh. “AI is here to stay, and we need to find an effective way to enhance learning rather than eliminate it. That means using it to support understanding, improving access to resources, and personalizing learning. AI shouldn't replace critical thinking or educators. In the future, I want to be involved in conversations that promote AI strengthening learning environments.”
Learn more about Simuvaction at Simuvaction.com.
