Primary school students in Jiangsu take an artificial intelligence literacy course. [Photo/Yangtse Evening Post]

As the new academic year has started, schools across China have introduced a groundbreaking artificial intelligence literacy course, aiming to educate students from "understanding AI" to "using AI" and eventually "reflecting on AI". The primary and secondary schools in East China's Jiangsu province have stood out in such practice.

At Nanjing Kelihua Middle School, eighth-grade students participated in an immersive AI class focused on image recognition, in which they developed simple programs to simulate intelligent fruit vending machines.

Liu Yanzhe, a student at the school, expressed excitement after programming the system to recognize an orange, saying that image recognition is not magic but the result of extensive data training.

Hong Gang, an official with the Basic Education Division of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, said that the comprehensive introduction of AI literacy courses in primary and secondary schools is aimed at guiding students to systematically understand what AI is about and what it can do, thereby stimulating their interest in scientific and technological exploration.

Jiangsu province has mandated AI literacy courses in all primary and secondary schools, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

The Ministry of Education plans to integrate AI education into local curricula nationwide, emphasizing the development of AI education bases, particularly in rural areas. It aims to establish a comprehensive AI education system nationwide by 2030.

Experts highlight the need for high-quality teaching resources and greater societal involvement to enhance AI education, urging parents to guide their children's use of AI responsibly.