On 10 July 2023, MDPI and the journals AI, Algorithms, Big Data and Cognitive Computing, Computers, Educational Sciences, Future Internet, Informatics, Information, Languages and Publications organized the webinar AI Chatbots: Threat or Opportunity? II.

Webinar summary from Dr. Hossein Hassani, the webinar Chair:

The highly anticipated webinar AI Chatbots: Threat or Opportunity?, provided valuable insights on a crucial subject. The event shed light on the various advantages of AI chatbots, such as enhanced learning experience, scalability and accessibility, continuous availability, and consistency in teaching. it also addressed concerning issues, including the lack of human interaction, limited adaptability, technical limitations, and ethical considerations.

During the webinar, the broader implications of these advancements, particularly in relation to the SDG 4 goal of education for all, were discussed. The participants recognized the rapid progress of technology in developed countries while acknowledging the significant disparities in access to the internet and electricity in regions like Africa and Asia, as emphasized in SDG 4 and SDG 7. It was emphasized that taking appropriate action and addressing the existing gaps in SDGs are vital to ensuring that no one is left behind.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the panellists, Dr. Chung Kwan Lo and Dr. Jaime Cárdenas-García, my colleagues at MDPI, Marisa Zalabak for the great comments and suggestions, and the various MDPI journals for their invaluable support and for driving this timely and important initiative.

Please note that this webinar is associated with the Topic “AI Chatbots: Threat or Opportunity?”. The abstract submission deadline is 29 February 2024.

In addition, the first webinar of the series was held on 27 June 2023, 3 p.m. (CEST). For more information, or to watch the recording of the first webinar, please visit the webpage via the following link: https://0-www-mdpi-com.brum.beds.ac.uk/about/announcements/6047.

You can watch the recorded webinar at the following link: https://youtu.be/X5oTzdG5z70.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Hossein Hassani, Webster Vienna Private University, Vienna, Austria;
• Chung Kwan Lo, Department of Mathematics and Information Technology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
• Jaime F. Cárdenas-García, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, United States.