China will establish a tiered AI education system spanning primary, junior high, and senior high schools to guide students from foundational cognitive awareness to practical technological innovation, according to policy documents unveiled Monday.
At the primary school level, the Ministry of Education (MOE) prioritizes AI literacy through exposure to basic technologies, such as voice recognition and image classification.
Building on this foundation, junior high school students will deepen their understanding of AI logic, examine machine learning processes, and develop critical thinking to identify misinformation in generative AI outputs.
Progressing to senior secondary education, the focus shifts toward applied innovation. Students will use accumulated AI knowledge to design and refine AI algorithm models, while cultivating interdisciplinary systems thinking.
To achieve the goals, the MOE will integrate AI-enabled teaching competencies into the teacher training framework. Additionally, it mandates schools to develop age-appropriate curricula with tiered instructional practices that align with cognitive development stages.
Notably, the MOE underscores generative AI's pedagogical potential. "Teachers can empower generative AI tools to construct interactive teaching and create immersive learning experiences," said an official overseeing basic education.
The official also called for strengthening students' logical and innovative thinking through generative AI-powered interactive learning ecosystems.
Meanwhile, the MOE prohibits students from submitting AI-generated content as academic work or examination responses. Simultaneously, it demands that teachers cultivate learners' capacity for critical thinking of AI outputs, thereby fostering authentic engagement in information processing.
China advances AI curriculum to cover full basic education
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
