BEIJING: At Beijing National Day School’s First Branch, sixth-graders in an artificial intelligence (AI) class are learning to code, as they build their own intelligent agents with the enthusiasm of budding engineers.
Given the task of understanding the applied logic of AI and its real-world applications, the students, guided by their teacher, created an AI agent capable of conversing with Qian Xuesen, the pioneer of China’s space program. “It makes my thinking more dynamic and creative,” said Sun Yufeng, a student.
This inspiring scene reflects a broader shift unfolding across Beijing, where, starting this semester, AI courses have been added to general education in over 1,400 primary and secondary schools, marking a comprehensive effort to boost students’ AI literacy.
These schools will provide at least eight AI classes per academic year, guiding students from understanding the basics of AI to using it responsibly and eventually applying it in innovative ways. The courses are designed to nurture creativity and strengthen problem-solving skills through practical projects, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV.
The move aligns with China’s broader nationwide efforts to accelerate AI adoption across industries. Earlier in August, the State Council released a policy document on advancing the “AI+” initiative, setting out China’s AI development strategy for the next decade.
The policy calls for integrating AI into all aspects of education, innovating human-AI collaborative teaching models, and shifting education’s focus from knowledge transfer to competency cultivation. –Agencies
