Student and Alumni Stories

Jinyi Li

2026 Graduate

Master of Arts in AI and Technology-assisted Language Teaching (Mixed-mode)

As a member of the first graduating cohort of PolyU SPEED’s Master’s programme in AI and Technology-assisted Language Teaching, I graduated first in my programme with Distinction and was honored to receive the Dean’s List Award and China Daily Scholarship.

With an undergraduate background in aviation and experience in airport ground operations, I learned early that technology can provide powerful support, but human judgement remains essential. As AI became part of my daily life and work, I began asking not only what it could do, but why it produced certain answers and how I should evaluate them.

The programme helped me gradually unpack the “black box” of AI, understanding both its logic and limitations. This perspective shaped my dissertation, where I explored AI as a tool to support thinking rather than replace it. I still use AI every day, but now I know more clearly what I can leave to AI and what I must decide for myself.