Bringing AI into elementary school is not about turning students into tech engineers.

Introducing artificial intelligence (AI) into education, especially at the primary level, is considered essential in the national innovation strategy. However, this strategic technology needs to be deployed cautiously and selectively.

On September 16, at the National Conference to disseminate and implement four new resolutions of the Politburo , Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that artificial intelligence must be brought into schools.

"We are researching and directing the introduction of artificial intelligence into primary schools, right from grade 1, with the spirit of 'learning while playing'," said the Prime Minister .

Regarding this content, Mr. Ho Duc Thang - Director of the National Institute of Digital Technology and Digital Transformation, Ministry of Science and Technology shared at the Ministry's regular September Press Conference on the morning of September 26.

Overview of the regular press conference in September 2025 of the Ministry of Science and Technology, on the morning of September 26 in Hanoi. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology

Mr. Ho Duc Thang emphasized that AI is one of the most strategic technologies. When introducing AI to primary schools, the goal is not to turn students into technology engineers but to help them get acquainted and approach it safely.

Due to their young age, students are not yet capable of filtering information, so they cannot freely use tools like ChatGPT. " All AI applications used in teaching must be thoroughly censored, ensuring safety and ethics at the highest level," he stated.

According to a representative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, instead of focusing directly on students, equipping teachers with the skills to use AI to design effective and appropriate lessons is a priority direction.

International experience also offers valuable lessons for Vietnam. For example, Singapore has implemented short modules to help students understand the concept of safe and responsible AI; Estonia has focused on teachers; and South Korea has replaced textbooks too early with digital applications but to no avail.

From here, the Director pointed out the reality that to access AI, one must first have adequate infrastructure, such as remote and disadvantaged areas also need basic Internet.

“If AI is only deployed without adequate infrastructure, it can create inequality right from primary school,” said Mr. Ho Duc Thang.

Popularizing AI in schools is an inevitable trend, but it requires clear goals, cautious steps, and prioritizing successful pilots before widespread implementation to ensure effectiveness and avoid risks.

Previously, at the workshop “Unlimited power and unpredictable challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) – Impact and policy response”, Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT, said: " If Vietnamese children from grade 1 have learned with AI, worked with AI and grown up with AI, when they grow up, they can adapt to any changes in the future due to the impact of AI. The most important thing is to teach, learn and evaluate with AI – and do it as quickly as possible".

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dua-ai-vao-tieu-hoc-khong-phai-de-bien-hoc-sinh-thanh-cac-ky-su-cong-nghe-2446358.html