China’s Hangzhou makes AI classes compulsory in schools amid nationwide push

Hangzhou Mandates AI Education for Primary and Secondary Students

In a move to cultivate future talent and bolster its rapidly growing technology sector, the city of Hangzhou, located in China's Zhejiang province, is set to introduce mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) courses for all primary and secondary school students. This initiative, commencing in the new semester, is part of a larger national strategy to enhance AI education across the country.

The program aims to create a strong talent pipeline while simultaneously improving educators' proficiency in utilizing smart technologies and safeguarding data. The curriculum will encompass comprehensive training for both students and teachers, as detailed in documents released by the city's education bureau.

Flexible Implementation:

Schools will have the autonomy to decide how the AI lessons are delivered. They can choose to concentrate the instruction within a single week or integrate AI-related content into existing subjects such as information technology and science. This flexible approach allows schools to tailor the curriculum to their specific needs and resources.

Curriculum Highlights:

• Early Years (Grades 1-2): The initial focus will be on introducing students to the everyday applications of AI. Students will interact with basic AI-powered devices and learn about the role technology plays in their daily lives. Emphasis will be placed on the responsible use of technology, particularly concerning privacy.
• Intermediate Years (Grades 3-4): Students will engage in hands-on projects, utilizing AI tools to gather text, images, and audio for school assignments and other everyday tasks. This practical experience will help them understand how AI can be used to solve real-world problems.
• Upper Primary (Grades 5-6): The curriculum will delve into various AI scenarios and introduce basic AI models, including decision trees and neural networks. Students will also learn about fundamental algorithms like reasoning and brute-force search.
• Middle School: Students will explore the entire AI workflow, from data preparation and model training to inference. The curriculum will address real-world challenges and evaluate the capabilities of generative AI.
• High School: The focus will shift towards project-based learning, where students design AI systems and develop intelligent agents. This allows them to hone their skills in applying AI technology to practical, everyday situations.

AI Projects and Extracurricular Activities:

AI-focused projects may be integrated into local curricula, providing opportunities for interested students to pursue advanced studies and gain hands-on experience. Basic AI-related activities may also be offered as part of after-school programs, further enriching students' learning experiences.

National Initiative:

Hangzhou's initiative aligns with a nationwide push to expand AI education in primary and secondary schools. In December 2024, China's Ministry of Education emphasized the need to cultivate creativity, scientific curiosity, and digital skills through AI instruction. Furthermore, in May of this year, the ministry issued guidelines to regulate the use of AI in schools, ensuring age-appropriate implementation.

Other Regions Following Suit:

Following Beijing's announcement in March, which mandated a minimum of eight class hours of AI studies annually for students starting this fall, other regions are also implementing similar measures. Guangdong province, for instance, has introduced a minimum of six class hours per year, starting from the primary level.

Hangzhou's Tech Hub Status:

Hangzhou, home to rapidly growing tech start-ups, including DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics, announced these measures at a press conference. The city requires at least 10 class hours of AI instruction each year. The technology sector has rapidly emerged as a vital engine for growth, particularly in the face of trade and technology restrictions imposed by the United States. The detailed guidelines outline the specific content, requirements, and teaching methods for each grade level.