China's higher education landscape is rapidly evolving as universities embrace artificial intelligence (AI) integration, moving beyond the debate of 'whether' to focus on 'how' to implement it effectively. This shift reflects national priorities to cultivate a world-class AI talent pool amid global competition. According to recent data, more than 600 Chinese universities now offer AI-related majors, a dramatic increase from 35 in 2018, with enrollment surging to meet industry demands where 80% of graduate job openings require AI skills. Institutions like Tsinghua University and Fudan University are at the forefront, embedding AI across curricula to prepare students for an AI-driven economy.
The momentum stems from the Ministry of Education's (MOE) AI Innovation Action Plan for Institutions of Higher Education, launched in 2018, which aims to position universities as global AI innovation centers by 2030. Key objectives include developing 50 AI colleges or institutes (already surpassed), creating 'AI + X' interdisciplinary programs, and producing world-class textbooks and online courses. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) further emphasizes expanding high-quality undergraduate programs in strategic fields like AI and integrated circuits, with over one-fifth of academic programs adjusted in recent years to align with these needs.
Government Policies Fueling the AI Revolution in Classrooms
The Chinese government's proactive stance is evident in multiple guidelines. The 2025 guideline on accelerating education digitalization promotes AI in teaching, learning, assessment, and research, fostering critical thinking and practical skills. Large-scale AI models are being developed for deep integration, with national platforms covering all education stages and 13 disciplines like computer science. Vocational education sees new majors in AI and low-altitude economy, with 2,654 micro-majors enrolling 74,000 students in 2025.
Beijing leads with compulsory AI classes in schools, extending to higher ed, training 500,000 teachers and students online. These policies ensure AI supports national strategies, from smart manufacturing to public health.Higher ed career advice highlights how such alignment boosts employability.
Explosion of AI Majors and Enrollment Growth
In 2025, China added 37 new undergraduate majors, one-third AI-related, bringing the total to 845. Top universities are expanding: Peking University added 150 spots in strategic areas, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) 150 in cutting-edge tech including AI, and Tsinghua launched its College of AI in 2024. Vocational reforms prioritize AI for skilled workers, aiming for advanced standards by 2027.
Enrollment in AI programs is booming, with 535+ universities offering them. This responds to market needs, as AI jobs offer average starting salaries of RMB 18,592 monthly, topping other fields.
Tsinghua University: Pioneering the AI College Model
Tsinghua's College of AI, established April 2024 under Turing Award winner Andrew Yao, focuses on core foundations, embodied intelligence, and future computing. It offers doctoral programs in computer science, control engineering, electronics, and communications, admitting 50 PhDs in 2025 with rotation systems for interdisciplinary training. Mandatory AI for all graduates exemplifies full integration.China higher ed jobs see high demand for Tsinghua grads.
Zhishan College integrates AI into social sciences like politics and international policy, blending stats, digital tech, and AI.
Fudan and SJTU: Broadening AI Literacy Across Disciplines
Fudan introduced 116 AI-BEST courses in 2024-25, covering basic to thematic levels for all students, partnering with Alibaba Cloud for supercomputing. Shanghai Medical College offers 20+ AI courses for drug design. SJTU launched DeepRare, world's first AI for rare diseases diagnosis, and China's first embodied AI undergrad major.
Peking University plans an AI-focused campus in Changping, adding spots in national strategic areas.
Photo by Spencer Gu on Unsplash
AI+X: Interdisciplinary Fusion Reshaping Curricula
- AI + Medicine: Fudan, SJTU AI drug discovery.
- AI + Social Sciences: Tsinghua Zhishan blending AI with policy.
- AI + Manufacturing: Zhejiang's first interdisciplinary AI program since 2019, 27 'AI+X' textbooks.
MOE supports 100 'AI+X' majors by 2020 goal met, promoting cross-disciplinary centers. Faculty positions in AI interdisciplinary fields are proliferating.
Teacher Training and Key Challenges
Challenges include teacher readiness (only 1% faculty never use AI, but training lags), ethics, infrastructure. Fudan bans AI in research design for integrity. MOE trains 500k teachers online; Beijing mandates 8 hours/semester AI for K12 teachers.
Solutions: industry collaborations, ethical guidelines, platforms like Smart Education of China (1,000+ AI courses).MOE AI guideline.
Student Benefits and Employment Impact
79% graduates use AI for job hunting (resumes 51%). AI grads command top salaries; 86% Tsinghua grads in key sectors. Platforms like PKU's intelligent teaching enhance learning.
For more on AI career paths, visit career advice resources.
Future Outlook: World-Class AI Talent by 2030
By 2030, universities to lead global AI innovation, with expanded enrollment, smart campuses, military-civil fusion. AI EdTech market to $16B by 2034.
Actionable Insights for Stakeholders
- Universities: Invest in teacher training, ethics courses, infrastructure.
- Teachers: Use AI as tool for personalization, focus on critical thinking.
- Students: Build AI literacy for jobs; explore higher ed jobs in AI.
- Industry: Partner for 'AI+X' programs, internships.
Balanced integration ensures ethical, innovative education. Rate your professors to share experiences.
In conclusion, China's higher education is not just adopting AI—it's redefining it. With robust policies, pioneering universities, and a focus on practical integration, the nation is poised to lead globally. For opportunities, check higher ed jobs, career advice, rate my professor, and university jobs.
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