TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei’s Education Department said Wednesday the city has launched six AI-powered walking study routes in Bali District to turn local history and nature into hands-on classroom lessons.

The department said the program aligns with development along the Tamsui River and the upcoming opening of the Danjiang Bridge. It said artificial intelligence and big data were used to combine Bali’s environment, history and industries into ready-to-use teaching materials.

CNA reported the department held a teacher workshop at New Taipei Municipal Bali Junior High School. The session showed educators how to blend AI, geographic information systems, and walking-based courses into daily lessons.

“AI helped gather data, while geographic information systems mapped local stories, turning outdoor walks into immersive learning,” the city government's Deputy Secretary-General Kung Ya-wen (龔雅雯) said. She added the approach helps students build a stronger connection to their surroundings, per UDN.

Wang Chun-kai (王俊凱), a teacher at New Taipei Municipal Bali Junior High School, said AI and Geographic Information System tools make lesson planning easier and more engaging for students. He said the six routes turn Bali’s natural and cultural features into practical teaching resources, according to Yahoo News.

The department said AI also helps teachers organize field notes and guide low-carbon travel, nature surveys, and coastal learning activities. It added that mobile tools allow teachers to quickly identify local plant and animal species, easing pressure on educators without science backgrounds.

Geographic information systems are digital tools that collect, store, and analyze data linked to specific locations. They help users map places, track changes and visualize how geography connects to real-world activities and events.