A major highlight of the 2025 World Digital Education Conference was the release of the Digital Education Fronts, offering an in-depth look at where the field is heading in the age of intelligent technology.

The report was developed by a research group led by the journal Frontiers of Digital Education (English Edition) in collaboration with data analytics firms, universities, and research institutes. Drawing on a dataset of nearly 60,000 digital education research papers published globally from 2019 to 2024, the team used scientometric analysis and expert insight to identify the ten most influential topics currently shaping the field.

The ten trends include: the rise of generative AI and its role in accelerating interdisciplinary integration; the emergence of metaverse technologies in redefining smart learning paradigms; how digital education is reshaping cognitive patterns in learning behavior; the growing maturity of AI-powered personalized learning; digital literacy as a foundation for professional teacher development; human–AI collaboration in building next-generation digital learning ecosystems; vocational education reform in response to automation and innovation; the global governance imperative for digital ethics; bridging regional divides through inclusive digital education; and data-driven decision-making across the full teaching process.

Accompanied by detailed case studies and future forecasts, the report explores these topics through the lenses of technological advancement, policy coordination, and ethical considerations. It is not only a timely synthesis of global developments in digital education, but also serves as a forward-looking guide for navigating the evolving educational landscape. The full report will be published in Frontiers of Digital Education (English Edition).