China's Ministry of Education has asked primary and secondary schools to improve AI education to enhance students' digital skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
More than 500 universities and colleges in China have launched AI majors since 2018, a year after Beijing announced plans to become a global leader in the field. Interest in AI has surged amid an escalating tech war with the United States and the popularity of AI chatbots like ChatGPT.
China's Ministry of Education aims to systematically introduce AI into teaching, considering it a criterion for evaluating school quality.
According to the guidelines, primary school students will be introduced to and experience AI technology, middle school students will focus on understanding and applying AI, while high school students will participate in creative projects related to this technology.
AI education will be integrated into extracurricular and research programs, encouraging collaboration between schools, businesses and research institutions.
China's Ministry of Education also proposed building appropriate courses, developing teaching materials, and integrating AI into information technology, science, and practical activities.
To support access to resources, China will add an AI education section to its national smart education platform, providing high-quality resources for teachers and students.
AI education centers will also be established in phases, giving students access to labs and exhibition spaces run by universities and tech companies.
At the same time, upgrading digital teaching infrastructure and sharing resources between schools are also encouraged to facilitate students to practice and explore AI.
The Chinese government has placed special emphasis on AI teacher training by integrating it into its national human resource development plan. Localities and schools with the means are encouraged to expand their AI teaching staff and invite experts from academia and industry to teach part-time.
One of the key priorities is to narrow the urban-rural education gap. The government has called for increased support for schools in remote areas, increased teacher exchanges, and the use of online platforms to connect AI courses across regions.
Cooperation between urban and rural schools is also encouraged to share teaching experiences and improve the quality of AI education nationwide.
