The Ministry of Education is to unveil plans to integrate computer science studies related to artificial intelligence (AI) into public education from elementary schools through universities, Deputy Minister of Education Yeh Ping-cheng (葉丙成) said yesterday.
Taiwan must use innovation to prepare its next generation for an AI-centric economy, Yeh said a ministry-hosted international digital learning conference in Taipei.
Teachers have voiced concern that parents believe using the Internet in the classroom would mean children would play computer games too often, he said, citing his experience promoting digital learning over the past decade.
Photo: Rachel Lin, Taipei Times
The hard work by teachers to implement remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic marked a milestone in showing parents that the Internet can be used for education purposes, he said.
In addition, universities are planning to collaborate with schools to share key resources and faculty members in AI-related education programs, with 14 courses being planned, Yeh said.
The classes would be organized to create a workforce familiar with the design and use of AI in a professional capacity, he said.
Electives on AI are being planned for high schools and vocational high schools, with an emphasis on utilizing online classes to ensure education opportunities for urban and rural students, he said.
The ministry is working with National Cheng Kung University professor Su Wen-yu (蘇文鈺) to run competitions for elementary-school students to design AI models that control game avatars, he said.
The competition, to launch in the second half of next year, would be used as a substitute for robot programming competitions that require expensive venues and equipment for schools, he said.
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