China’s Integration of AI into Its Education System
Ross Edwards
Director
IORMA Education and Learning Technology Centre
May 2025
China is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) education into its national curriculum as part of its broader ambition to become a global leader in AI technology.
Over the past few years, the Chinese government has issued a series of policies and initiatives designed to cultivate a new generation skilled in AI research, development, and application. Specialized pilot programs in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are already setting national benchmarks.
In a landmark move in 2018, China’s Ministry of Education issued a comprehensive and detailed action plan that laid out a clear roadmap for the extensive incorporation of AI-related concepts and practical skills across all tiers of the education system, spanning primary, secondary, and higher education institutions nationwide.
AI in primary and secondary schools:
Beijing has taken the lead at the city level. In 2025 the Beijing education commission announced that all schools (ages 6–18) must offer at least eight hours of AI instruction per year.
Official guidelines say young pupils should “gain experience and develop basic ideas about AI”.
At the university level, institutions like Tsinghua University and Peking University have launched dedicated AI departments and interdisciplinary programs that blend computer science with fields such as biology, medicine, and finance. Many universities now offer AI majors, and graduate programs focused on cutting-edge areas like deep learning and robotics.
China is also fostering partnerships between schools and tech giants like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent. These collaborations provide students with hands-on experience through AI laboratories, competitions, and internships, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
By embedding AI education across all levels of schooling, China is not only building its talent pipeline but also laying the groundwork for a society that is increasingly comfortable with, and adept at, using AI technologies.
As this momentum continues, China’s education system is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the global future of AI.