The Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan has announced the inclusion of artificial intelligence in the school curriculum from the first grade. The country's authorities believe that the rapid development of technology and the widespread penetration of AI into all spheres of life require mandatory updating of the educational content. The subject "Digital Literacy" in elementary grades was renamed "Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence", and "Computer Science" in middle and high schools was renamed "Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence". The new educational program is currently at the stage of final approval by the relevant department. Last year, this initiative was successfully tested in a pilot mode, and it received positive reviews from independent experts. Special methodological recommendations on the effective use of AI in the educational process are additionally being developed for teachers.

The program provides for a gradual increase in complexity of the material as students grow up. In elementary school, children will learn about technology using simple examples from everyday life. Fifth- to ninth-grade students will learn how to effectively use AI tools in their studies, formulate queries correctly, and critically evaluate the results. Special attention will be paid to the principles of cybersecurity and academic integrity when working with neural networks. In high school, Kazakhstani schoolchildren will learn in detail how modern AI systems work. The program includes the basics of machine learning, neural network architecture, big data analysis methods, and applied cryptography. Such an integrated approach will prepare a new generation of specialists to work in the digital economy.

Similar educational initiatives are being actively implemented in neighboring countries. In Russia, the Artificial Intelligence profile will also be included in the school curriculum from September 1, 2017. This subject will be taught as part of an advanced computer science course, Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov said earlier. The specialized textbooks "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence" have already been included by the Ministry in the official federal list. These educational materials are designed for fifth- to ninth-grade students in general education institutions. Earlier, the AI profile was also successfully included in the All-Russian Olympiad of schoolchildren in computer science. The integration of modern technologies into basic schooling is becoming an important trend for many countries. Countries are striving to prepare the younger generation for the challenges of a rapidly changing labor market.