Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become one of the most sought-after fields of study in Chinese higher education, with over 600 universities offering undergraduate AI programs by 2026, a significant increase from merely 35 institutions in 2018, according to data from the Ministry of Education. Among the nation’s elite “Double First-Class” universities, at least 90 have established dedicated AI-related schools or colleges, underscoring the sector’s swift expansion.

This growth is largely driven by coordinated national strategies paired with robust market demand. In April 2026, China’s Ministry of Education, in collaboration with four other central government departments, unveiled an action plan detailing measures for cultivating AI talent, fostering innovation, enhancing infrastructure, and building an AI ecosystem. The plan advocates for AI to become a foundational subject across higher education institutions, encourages new interdisciplinary programs, and promotes novel approaches to train high-caliber AI professionals.

Coinciding with the action plan, the Ministry of Education released an updated undergraduate program catalog that introduced 38 new majors, including AI for business, embodied intelligence, and brain-computer science and technology. Rather than merely adding new departments, universities are reorganizing their academic structures to integrate AI comprehensively. According to MyCOS, an education research institute, many institutions consolidate existing computer science, big data, and automation programs into unified AI-focused schools.

At Fudan University, a three-tiered AI curriculum system has been established to ensure coverage of AI education across all undergraduate and graduate disciplines. Similarly, Ningbo University mandates that each major includes at least one “AI+” interdisciplinary course, while Tsinghua University promotes an “AI+X” model, embedding AI across its entire academic spectrum.

The rapid development of China’s core AI industry, valued at more than 1.2 trillion yuan (approximately $177 billion) in 2025, has intensified the demand for qualified professionals. However, projections from McKinsey & Company indicate a potential shortfall of up to 4 million AI experts by 2030. Experts note this “AI+” transformation extends beyond traditional technology fields, permeating humanities and social sciences as well. Rao Yanting, associate researcher at the China National Academy of Education Sciences, stated that AI education is increasingly influencing diverse disciplines.

Despite the momentum, some academics have expressed concerns about the sustainability and academic rigor of the rapid AI expansion. Fang Fuquan, president of Capital Normal University, cautioned that AI is fundamentally a technological field rather than a pure science and that disproportionately emphasizing it at the expense of basic sciences—such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology—and the humanities may yield adverse consequences. Fang warned that insufficient grounding in basic sciences might impair students’ ability to critically evaluate AI-generated content that could defy physical laws. He advocated for balanced education that fosters deep foundations in basic sciences alongside technological skills, emphasizing the importance of diverse academic contributions beyond AI applications.

At the April announcement of the national action plan, Fudan University President Jin Li highlighted the challenge posed by the rapid evolution of AI models, noting that training students solely as “finished-product” professionals risks obsolescence in a fast-changing field. Jin emphasized cultivating “stem cell-style” talent—graduates capable of swiftly acquiring new cognitive frameworks, integrating knowledge across disciplines, and adapting through continuous iteration.

As universities across China continue to expand AI programs and integrate the technology across academic fields, balancing rapid innovation with foundational education remains a central concern for educators and policymakers alike.