China aims to promote artificial intelligence in aiding the country's education reform, highlighting the cultivation of students' critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and practical skills while accelerating digital transformation across the sector, according to a newly released guideline.

The guideline on accelerating education digitalization, jointly released by the Ministry of Education and eight other departments, emphasized building an AI-powered education system that integrates smart technologies into teaching, learning, assessment and academic research.

Zhou Dawang, head of the ministry's Department of Science, Technology and Informatization, said the guideline calls for a comprehensive upgrade of disciplines, curriculum, and talent development to meet the demands of the digital economy and future industries.

The guideline outlined plans to accelerate the development of large-scale AI models to promote their deep integration into education. It also proposed adjustments to academic programs in higher education and vocational training to better meet the needs of advanced manufacturing and the modern service sector, Zhou said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Yang Zongkai, chair of the ministry's national expert committee on education digitalization and president of the Wuhan University of Technology in Hubei province, said AI is rapidly transforming labor markets and knowledge creation, urging a rethink of talent cultivation models.

"AI is not only reshaping how we teach and learn, but also bringing new possibilities for educational innovation," Yang said. "The guideline stipulates to nurture students' advanced thinking, judgment, and practical abilities through intelligent education reform."

China will continue to build education AI models, support pilot applications, and develop model classrooms that integrate AI into teaching and assessment. Educators will be trained to use AI to design more challenging and creative learning experiences, he added.

The ministry has launched national AI learning platforms across all education stages and introduced models for 13 disciplines including computer science, chemistry, and materials science.

The Wuhan University of Technology, for example, has deployed an AI Assistant 2.0 system and built applications such as AI Study Assistant and AI HR Assistant to support smart campus development, Yang said.

Lu Jiang, Party secretary of Shenzhen Mingde Experimental School in Guangdong province, said the school has implemented AI from lesson planning and teaching to assessment and administrative management.

The school is refining AI curricula across different grade levels, he said. Primary students are introduced to AI through activities, while high school students are encouraged to delve into innovation and cross-disciplinary problem-solving, he said.

The curriculum will stress computing and design thinking, ethical training, and practical skills development. The school plans to deepen its collaboration with research institutions such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen campus and leading tech firms to build advanced AI laboratories and produce cutting-edge educational resources, Lu said.

According to Zhou from the education ministry, two guidelines have been drafted for AI education and use in primary and secondary schools, providing references for schools to adopt AI in a human-centered and ethically sound manner.