A New World of Open Space: Reflections and Perspectives of Chinese Scholars on the Digital Transformation of Education and Future Education Research

There is an urgent need to advance theoretical research and broaden academic conversation in relevant domains in order to undertake strategic initiatives for the digitalization of education. The topics of metaverse and educational ecological reconstruction, artificial intelligence (AI) and future educational development, big data and educational governance, and future educational research paradigm change are thoroughly discussed through interviews with 16 experts in the field of educational information technology. The study found that: (1) 'Metaverse' should be substituted to the development of education, it brings new problems to education, and also put forward new requirements for modern education; (2) Artificial intelligence is an all-round challenge to education, which has a significant impact on talent training, both in teaching and learning, as well as the restructuring of the entire education system; (3) Under the background of artificial intelligence, the future education will mainly lead to changes in educational values and objectives, and changes in the means of educational scenarios will also lead to changes in traditional educational forms; (4) The duplexing empowerment between education research and new technology; (5) In the context of new technologies, such as AI and the Metaverse, science fiction could be used as a new method for educational research..