China Restricts Generative AI Use in Classrooms
China has introduced new education policies for 2025 that restrict how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be used by students across primary, middle, and high school levels, according to a local government report cited Thursday.
While the full guidelines have not been made public, the report outlines tiered restrictions based on age group. Primary school students are prohibited from independently using open-ended AI tools like chatbots. Instead, teachers may utilize AI to aid instruction, but direct student interaction with unrestricted tools remains off-limits.
Middle school students are allowed to explore how generative AI systems analyze and reason, though usage is still limited. High school students receive the most flexibility, with broader permissions to engage with generative AI platforms — under guidance and with structured oversight.
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Additionally, the policy bans students from copying AI-generated content into their homework, aiming to preserve academic integrity. Schools are also expected to create an approved list of AI tools that are permitted on campus, ensuring safer and more controlled usage environments.
The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, confirmed the existence of the policy in a brief mention on page six of its Thursday edition. However, the national media report did not detail usage restrictions, instead emphasizing the goal of fostering a “scientific” and “standardized” approach to AI education appropriate to each education level.
Reason Behind the Policy
The policy arrives as generative AI tools — such as DeepSeek, Tencent's Hunyuan, and ByteDance’s Doubao — gain popularity across China. With increasing accessibility, the government appears keen to balance technological advancement with ethical safeguards in education.
As AI adoption grows globally, China’s school-level restrictions signal a cautious but strategic step in shaping responsible digital literacy among its youth.
