Legaspi praised the debate's contribution to global exchange and the attitude of participants in approaching the tournament with open minds.

Stephanie Chen and Clement Tsao, representing a hybrid team from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, claimed the open category championship.

Chen, who was also named the best speaker in the final, emphasized the human edge in persuasion. "Art and creativity are the most difficult for technology to replicate because they carry unique human experiences and emotional understanding," she said, reflecting on the value of a platform that connects local experiences with global discourse.

Luigi Alcaneses, a co-chief adjudicator, observed that the most irreplaceable quality of a human debater is the sincerity and personal experience infused in their expression. "Debate is not only a contest of logic but also a presentation of humanity. It is precisely because each person is unique that every debate is filled with vitality," Alcaneses said.

"We are not just training people to express views, but to understand differences, respond to the world, and shoulder responsibilities." said Zhao Ke, dean of the school of foreign languages at SUFE.