Wu Zhangde, principal of Qixi Town Central Primary School, shares a video of students singing joyfully during his speech at the 2026 World Digital Education Conference. [Photo/Tide News]

Wu Zhangde, principal of Qixi Town Central Primary School in Kaihua county, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, gave a speech at the 2026 World Digital Education Conference, held from May 11 to 13 in Hangzhou.

Wu was the only primary school principal invited to give a speech at this prestigious event. He shared a video of students singing joyfully, with international guests recording the moment with their phones.

Located in the mountainous area in West Zhejiang, near the headwaters of the Qiantang River, the school is one of Zhejiang's most isolated, with 72 students — mostly left-behind children.

"Our school lacks a dedicated music teacher, yet through digital education, we've formed the Qianjiangyuan Xiaolanghua children's choir," Wu said. Earlier this year, the choir participated in a performance in the city center.

Last year, Wu noticed many students loved singing but couldn't read music. He used artificial intelligence to help. "Without music teachers, we turned to smart classrooms on online platforms for resources. AI devices helped students practice singing," Wu said. Within months, the children had formed a choir.

In 2025, the AI-powered education project began, equipping students with smart devices. In April, sixth graders connected with peers in Jakarta, Indonesia, via AI software, breaking language barriers with real-time translations.

Wu also shared this cross-cultural exchange during his speech, illustrating digital education's transformative power. "Digital education removes barriers of distance and language, bringing the world to our children," Wu said.