China has launched a national action plan to embed AI across its education system, in a strategic push to future-proof its workforce amid intensifying global competition in advanced technologies.
The “AI+ Education” action plan, unveiled by the Ministry of Education and four other ministerial-level bodies, mandates the integration of artificial intelligence at every stage of learning – from primary schools to lifelong education.
The initiative builds on China’s long-term education plan to the year 2035, released in January last year, which identified AI as a crucial engine of educational reform to meet the needs of the digital economy and future industries.
Education officials framed the plan, which was released on Friday, as a direct response to fierce global competition, with major economies including the United States, the European Union and Singapore having launched programmes to boost investment in AI-related education and training. Beijing’s initiative aims to raise AI literacy nationwide as a crucial pillar of future economic competitiveness.
“By redefining the skills needed for the modern era, AI is forcing a systemic and fundamental overhaul of education,” they said.
Building nationwide AI infrastructure is a central part of the plan. Instead of relying on fragmented local projects, the central government said it would consolidate computing power platforms and data networks into a unified service – a centralised approach designed to ensure efficiency.
