China will introduce AI into classes through applications and textbooks in the school curriculum starting in September 2025. According to an official paper released by authorities on Wednesday, the move is set to overhaul the country’s education.
The move targets students and teachers in China’s primary, secondary, and higher education levels. The document says this is an attempt to boost students’ AI-related innovation in the world’s second-largest economy.
Indeed, the Chinese education ministry said promoting AI would help “cultivate the basic abilities of teachers and students,” and shape the “core competitiveness of innovative talents.” Some of these abilities include independent thinking, problem-solving, communication, and cooperation. The ministry also says AI use would stimulate innovation and increase classroom challenges.
Chinese universities launched AI courses
After the DeepSeek frenzy earlier this year, Chinese Universities saw an increased enrollment in AI-related courses. This was partly why the government decided to introduce AI into schools.
January was a crucial month for AI in China, as it not only launched a large-language model that was cheaper and could compete against US-made systems, but the country also unveiled the first national action plan to obtain a “strong-education nation” by 2035.
China has announced that AI education will be mandatory in primary and secondary schools starting from September 1, 2025.
This initiative will require students to receive at least eight hours of AI instruction per academic year. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing… pic.twitter.com/jqsiStvVek
— Johannes Maria (@luo_yuehan) April 8, 2025
The measure will first be introduced in Beijing Schools. Students will take at least eight class hours of AI-related subjects per academic year. The AI classes are designed to be dual modular, occurring separately or jointly with subjects such as information technology.
Primary courses will offer a hands-on introduction to AI concepts
The Chinese government also announced the class structures. Primary school (six years) students will take hands-on courses to introduce AI concepts. Junior high schools (three years long) will provide classes focusing on applying AI in learning and daily life. Finally, senior high schools (also three years) will offer practical courses to learn how to enhance AI applications and promote innovation.
Students will also learn Machine Learning Basics, Coding and Robotics, and Ethical AI from these programs.
In March, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with tech leaders and entrepreneurs, encouraging industry leaders to maximize their investments and potential, saying, “It’s the right time for private enterprises and entrepreneurs to give full play to their potential.”
Indeed, the government is exploiting the momentum obtained by DeepSeek in the tech wars, as other Chinese technology companies launched their own AI programs. Some of the most notable ones include Alibaba’s AI model QwQ-32B and general AI agent Manus.
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