The Open University of China (OUC) has been actively exploring the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into education and management, aiming to create an open, standardised, and highly reliable AI foundation platform.

This platform supports the entire educational process, including teaching, learning, evaluation, management, research, and services. On 12 October 2024, the AI platform began its trial run, providing technological support for intelligent applications in the OUC’s AI programme. The platform covers core functions such as model management, knowledge base management, capability management, and application management, enabling the rapid creation of intelligent agent applications tailored by users to educational needs and diverse teaching scenarios.

The platform boasts significant features and rich functionalities.

In model management, the platform integrates various domestic AI models and encapsulates general models for natural language processing, intelligent speech, and intelligent video. This allows users to choose suitable models based on actual needs to build exclusive intelligent agent applications.

In knowledge base management, the platform offers comprehensive management features, supporting file import, text segmentation, text vectorization, and efficient retrieval. This facilitates the construction of exclusive knowledge bases based on educational materials.

In capability management, the platform provides plugins for intelligent search and time queries, and supports third-party API integrations. Users can easily configure and call these to extend the functionalities of intelligent agent applications.

In application management, the platform supports the development of various intelligent applications, such as text generation, multi-turn dialogues, and workflows. A visual interface helps users quickly create, test, deploy, and monitor applications.

Leveraging the AI foundation platform, the OUC has developed a series of applications, including AI learning assistants, AI student service assistants, AI simulated discussions, AI-assisted evaluations, AI programming assistants, AI video learning navigation, and "digital teachers". These applications are being implemented in the AI specialty courses at the Experimental College.

The AI foundation platform is a crucial task in the innovative development of a digital university, serving as both the technical foundation for new digital university operations and a key force driving educational innovation towards intelligence. In the future, the OUC will further enhance the platform's functions and continually improve user experience, laying a solid foundation for empowering teaching with digital intelligence and advancing the development of building a digital university.

By Zhao Yan, OUC