China expands AI lessons to every school grade
Al Jazeera reports that China has introduced AI education from age six under new Ministry of Education guidelines.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
China has begun teaching artificial intelligence from age six as part of a nationwide push to prepare students for a more technology-driven economy, Al Jazeera reported. The change matters because AI has become a stated priority for President Xi Jinping, and the education system is being used to build skills from the earliest school years.
According to Al Jazeera, China’s Ministry of Education has issued new guidelines requiring AI instruction at every grade level. The report says the policy means children encounter AI concepts throughout their schooling rather than only in advanced or specialist classes.
Al Jazeera examined the policy in an episode of The Take, asking how classroom AI training could support China’s high-tech ambitions. The episode features Al Jazeera correspondent Katrina Yu and runs 21 minutes and 44 seconds.
The programme frames the education push as part of Xi’s broader emphasis on artificial intelligence. Al Jazeera says the central question is whether children now starting school under the new guidelines could become part of China’s future technology workforce.
The report does not detail the specific classroom materials, lesson plans or assessment methods included in the ministry guidelines. It also does not provide figures on how many schools or students are covered, beyond saying the rules apply across grade levels.
Al Jazeera published the episode online on June 19, 2026, while noting that it came from its archives and originally aired on September 18, 2025. The network said dates, titles and other references from the original broadcast were left unchanged.
The episode was produced by Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Sarí el-Khalili and Tamara Khandaker, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra and Farhan Rafid. Al Jazeera listed Malika Bilal as host, Kylene Kiang as editor, Alex Roldan as sound designer, Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem as video editors, and Alexandra Locke as executive producer of The Take.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.