A new initiative on AI and education has called for joint efforts to build a comprehensive AI education system spanning all school levels and the wider society, guiding learners to make scientific and rational use of technologies and tools.

The Hangzhou Initiative on AI and Education was released on Tuesday at the 2026 World Digital Education Conference held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The initiative also urges consensus on AI ethics in education and the development of norms and standards for AI applications to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of teachers and students.

According to the initiative, stakeholders should adhere to a people-centered educational philosophy, uphold the principle of putting health first and fully leverage AI's potential to inspire learners' sense of responsibility and creativity in support of their comprehensive and sustainable development.

It encourages accelerating the integration of smart technologies into all elements of education, covering the entire teaching and learning process and all scenarios — extending from school education to lifelong learning systems worldwide to support the building of a learning society.

The initiative also stresses equitable access to the benefits of AI, calling for greater use of smart education platforms to share quality resources and intelligent tools and bridge the global digital divide.

It proposes establishing a global network for teacher training and capacity building, with special attention to children with special needs, and supports UNESCO's leadership role in using digital technologies for post-crisis remedial education, especially for girls and women.

To shape future education paradigms, the initiative advocates using smart technologies to develop future teachers, classrooms, schools and learning centers, fostering students' ability to identify, explore and solve problems.

It also encourages establishing international platforms for collaboration in science and technology, jointly tackling major scientific challenges, promoting interdisciplinary integration and driving an AI-powered transformation of research paradigms.

On international cooperation, the initiative calls for a joint international strategic framework, regular high-level policy dialogues and stronger multilateral mechanisms.