Key AI hub China restricts schoolchildren’s use of the tech
China has recently implemented new education policies that restrict the use of generative artificial intelligence in the classroom, particularly for children. According to a local government report released on Thursday, primary and secondary school students in China are now facing limitations on the use of AI technology in their educational environment.
The guidelines outlined in the report, which were not made public, focus on AI education and the use of generative AI tools in schools throughout 2025. The Ministry of Education in China has not yet provided any official comments on these new restrictions.
Primary school students are now prohibited from using unrestricted generative AI tools independently. However, instructors are allowed to utilize this technology to assist with teaching. Middle school students are permitted to explore how generative AI processes and analyzes information, while high school students have broader access to using this technology.
One of the key points mentioned in the report is the prohibition on students directly copying AI-generated content into their homework assignments. Schools are required to establish a list of approved generative AI tools that can be used on school premises to ensure compliance with the new policies.
The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, highlighted the new guidelines in its Thursday edition. The report emphasized the promotion of “scientific” and “standardized” AI education tailored to different stages of the education system.
The use of generative AI technology in China has been on the rise, particularly after the release of DeepSeek, a domestic competitor to OpenAI, which launched a chatbot app in late January. Companies like Tencent and ByteDance have also introduced similar chatbots that have gained popularity in China.
These new education policies signal a shift in how AI technology is integrated into the classroom setting in China, with a focus on regulating its use to ensure a standardized and appropriate educational experience for students at all levels.
