China to add AI courses in primary education

China’s State Council issued a plan for artificial intelligence (AI) development, encouraging AI education for all, CCTV news reported on Aug. 27.

AI is a new area of international competition, the plan said, adding that in 2030, China is expected to be the world’s AI innovation center.

According to the report, China will promote AI education in primary and middle schools, set up AI courses in universities, and integrate multiple disciplines.

Programming education should start at a young age and more social forces should be involved in developing teaching software to teach children how to program and have fun, the report said.

Also, more students with master or doctor degrees in AI will be produced so as to contribute to an AI+ education model that is conducive to the integration of multiple disciplines, such as AI+ math, physics, biology, and law.

Moreover, universal AI education infrastructure, an inseparable part in the AI development plan, will be improved for daily and life-long study.

In the future, AI will bring changes to all industries, and even trigger new industries and business models. From this perspective, the education of future generations should follow the trend and be well prepared for the future competition.