China adopts AI in education as step toward innovation

China wants to leverage artificial intelligence through its education system at all levels from K-12 to higher education, to bolster innovation and development, cultivate basic skills in student populations, and produce competitive talent for future challenges, as set out in its 2035 strong-education nation agenda.

The educational system in China will be transformed through artificial intelligence (AI) in all parts of schooling, according to an official paper published on Wednesday. The initiative aims to support student learning, teacher work, teaching materials, and curriculum, among other things, and ensures that China is making all the intended shifts in strategy to develop and enhance an innovative country.

Through AI, the education ministry seeks to inspire critical skills in teachers and students and to nurture the skills we will need in the 21st century, encouraging independent thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration. In this sense, AI will replace traditional classrooms with creativity and challenges, a statement from the Ministry clarified.

This educational agenda follows a record-breaking development from DeepSeek, a Chinese startup where they released an inexpensive large-language model, as part of its launch of a national action plan, as well as a stronger economic and educational path towards achieving 'strong-education nation' status by 2035.