Beijing universities, middle schools and primary schools will widely carry out artificial intelligence scenario applications in 2025_1

In an interview held on October 26 during the 2024 Beijing Digital Education Work Promotion Conference, Zhang Yaotian, a member of the Beijing Municipal Education Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Education Commission, outlined ambitious plans for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education within the city. He announced that by 2025, Beijing aims to establish pilot applications of AI across educational settings, including primary, secondary, and higher education institutions, with widespread implementation by 2027.

Zhang emphasized that Beijing boasts top-tier educational and technological resources and a strong pool of research capabilities and professional talent. Since 2023, the city’s education sector has been actively promoting AI pilot programs, focusing on enhancing teaching, learning, evaluation, research, and management in education. The goal is to cultivate 100 smart campuses that leverage AI technology.

He noted that earlier this year, construction began on 25 pilot AI schools at the primary and secondary levels, while 12 exemplary applications for higher education were selected. These initiatives have already produced a number of outstanding cases that showcase intelligent features and unique educational characteristics. Additionally, Beijing is systematically developing a talent training framework for AI, introducing general education courses in higher education, and establishing numerous minors and special programs in AI. Currently, 33 universities offer AI programs, and more than 20 have set up dedicated AI colleges or research institutes. They are collaborating closely with innovative research institutions in the AI field to nurture top-tier talents and application-oriented professionals.

The “Beijing AI Application Work Plan for Education” was unveiled in October. During the conference, Zhang interpreted this plan, stating that within three years, Beijing will create an ongoing mechanism that mutually reinforces AI application and research in education. This initiative aims to support high-quality talent development while also contributing to the construction of a strong educational foundation and an international hub for technology and innovation.

Focusing on innovative educational methods, Zhang reported that Beijing plans to implement five typical applications: enhancing student learning and development, transforming teaching methods, promoting student well-being, fostering collaboration among families and communities, and innovating educational governance. The intention is to cultivate a number of replicable and demonstrable AI applications in education, which can stimulate innovation and serve as successful models.

On the front of AI application breakthroughs, Zhang expressed the importance of fostering long-term partnerships between schools and AI companies, targeting the resolution of key challenges and driving the development of AI educational products that are market-ready and internationally competitive.

He acknowledged the risks associated with AI in education, such as privacy concerns, ethical issues, ideological challenges, and potential reliance on technology. To address these concerns, he called for a careful, coordinated, and responsible approach to AI application, ensuring thorough evaluation, localized trials, and ongoing monitoring.

At the conference, the “Beijing Education AI Application Guidelines (2024)” were also introduced, providing direction on 29 key application scenarios. The guidelines advocate a human-centered approach to AI use, emphasizing the importance of students’ comprehensive development while ensuring safety and ethical standards in technology use. They serve as a systematic resource for educators, helping them integrate new technologies into their teaching and management practices while adhering to fundamental educational principles. The guidelines also stress the importance of data security and privacy protection, advising that minors use generative AI only with the guidance of teachers or parents.

In conclusion, Zhang stated, “Beijing aims to be a national pioneer in AI education innovation, focusing on technological breakthroughs, transformations in teaching paradigms, and innovative talent cultivation. By 2025, we plan to develop five typical application scenarios and establish 100 benchmark AI application schools across the city’s education system. By 2027, we will strive to create a demonstrative base for ‘AI + Education’ and foster several specialized AI enterprises within the education sector.”