Beijing to introduce AI education in schools from yext year, Chinese media says

Beijing plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) education in primary and secondary schools starting the next academic year, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency. Schools in the capital will allocate at least eight hours of AI lessons per class beginning in September 2025.

These lessons may be taught as standalone courses or integrated into subjects like information technology or science. The Beijing Municipal Education Commission stated that AI-assisted learning tools will be used to enhance student engagement.

The city also aims to strengthen partnerships between universities and high schools to develop specialized AI courses for young innovators. China’s AI industry has been expanding rapidly, with domestic companies launching advanced AI models.

Tech giant Alibaba recently introduced a new AI system, while another Chinese assistant, Manus, has gained attention for its advanced capabilities. DeepSeek, the AI model unveiled in January, has impressed industry experts with its ability to rival or even surpass Western counterparts like ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost.