National Top-Level Design: Empowering AI as a Strategic Approach to Promote Educational Transformation in China

This chapter explores how to empower AI as a strategic approach to promote educational transformation in China. As the core driving force of a new round of technological revolution, artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming the field of education. China’s educational digitalization strategy regards AI as a key driver, aiming to promote educational transformation and innovation. Compared to other major AI technologies, it has lower application thresholds and usage costs, offering numerous conveniences for education stakeholders while also presenting a series of risks and challenges for teaching and student development. When applied appropriately, AI can serve as an “Aladdin’s lamp”, becoming a powerful educational tool that empowers the cultivation of new-generation talent. China’s approach to AI-enabled education is characterized by active embrace, systematic planning, human-centered principles, and standardized development—neither outright rejection nor blind enthusiasm, but rather viewing it as a strategic opportunity for educational reform. Through top-level design and systematic advancement, China seeks to build a high-quality education system that leverages intelligent technology as an engine, balancing technological empowerment with a people-oriented focus on nurturing talent.