China's Hangzhou To Introduce Mandatory AI Course In Schools

Last Updated:August 27, 2025, 15:56 IST

The AI course in school will consist of at least 10 class hours per academic year. Students will learn AI through a blend of teaching formats.

For first and second graders, the focus will be on recognizing AI applications and interacting with AI devices to understand their role in everyday life. (AI-generated pic)

Hangzhou, a prominent city in China’s Zhejiang province, will mandate artificial intelligence courses for primary and secondary schools starting from the new semester, according to a report in The Independent. This initiative aims to equip students with knowledge in the fast-evolving field of AI.

The local education bureau has released documents detailing curriculum plans and standards for AI education, along with guidelines to cultivate future talent, as reported by state media Global Times. The courses will consist of at least 10 class hours per academic year, the report mentioned.

Students in Hangzhou, the hometown of AI company DeepSeek, will learn AI through a blend of teaching formats. They can undergo intensive sessions or integrate AI subjects within information technology and science classes. The schools will have the flexibility to incorporate AI projects into the local curriculum and basic AI activities may be included in afterschool programs.

For first and second graders, the focus will be on recognizing AI applications and interacting with AI devices to understand their role in everyday life. The curriculum stresses the ethical and responsible use of AI, emphasizing privacy protection, The Independent reported, citing the local education bureau.

Schools will teach third and fourth-grade students to utilize AI tools to collect text, images, and audio for school assignments and daily tasks. Under guidance, the students will design and produce simple projects to demonstrate their understanding of AI applications.

Middle school students will delve deeper into AI, covering data preparation, model training, and learning core algorithms principles like reasoning and brute-force search. High schoolers will engage in project-based initiatives aimed at developing skills in designing AI systems, which will enhance their ability to apply AI in real-world scenarios.

Hangzhou gained global attention when DeepSeek, an AI startup competing with ChatGPT, made headlines earlier this year. The city, housing nearly 8 million residents, is becoming a significant innovation hub with a dynamic startup scene, private investment, and a steady stream of talent.

Local media has dubbed a cluster of tech firms as the “Six Dragons of Hangzhou," including DeepSeek, Unitree, Deep Robotics, GameScience, Manycore Technology, and BrainCo. Hangzhou is also home to the giant Alibaba Group Holding, known for its diverse operations from e-commerce to cloud computing.

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