Introduction

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the education sector is undergoing a significant transformation. Recently, the Ministry of Education, along with several other governmental bodies, issued the “AI + Education Action Plan” to promote AI in talent cultivation and innovation, signaling a deeper reshaping of the educational environment and innovation ecosystem.

Current State of Vocational Education

China’s vocational education system has traditionally focused on practical skills training. However, AI is not only changing teaching methods but also serving as a crucial technological support for the integration of industry and education. As the country undergoes a critical phase of industrial restructuring, the demand for high-quality technical talents in emerging industries and advanced manufacturing is increasing, leading to higher expectations for vocational education.

The traditional vocational education model often faces challenges, including a disconnect between theoretical content and industry needs, practical training that does not align with real-world operations, and a singular evaluation method for talent. Therefore, reforming the vocational education system is imperative.

Key Tasks of the AI + Education Action Plan

The “AI + Education Action Plan” outlines four key tasks for the 14th Five-Year Plan period:

1. Promote AI talent cultivation and literacy enhancement.
2. Facilitate deep integration of AI and education.
3. Strengthen the foundational environment for AI + education.
4. Create an open ecosystem for AI + education.

These tasks provide clear direction for the systematic reform and structural optimization of the vocational education system.

Goals of Transformation

The goal of vocational education is shifting from specialized skill training to comprehensive competency development. AI should be integrated into the public foundational curriculum, and traditional industry-related majors should be further transformed to cultivate high-skilled talents that adapt to industry changes.

Courses like “AI Applications and Practices” have become compulsory in many universities, and numerous vocational programs have included this course in their talent cultivation plans. Teaching teams are actively revising their plans to embed cutting-edge technology modules into their curricula, utilizing big data analysis and technology trends from industry to dynamically update course content and offer interdisciplinary courses that integrate AI with vocational education.

Moreover, elements such as craftsmanship, professional ethics, and innovation awareness are incorporated into the teaching process, forming a balanced educational path that emphasizes both technical skills and professional qualities, enhancing students’ employability and long-term development potential.

Deep Integration of Industry and Education

The integration of industry and education is a fundamental characteristic of vocational education, and embedding AI technology facilitates faster information updates and closer communication between schools and enterprises. Through data sharing and collaborative teaching platforms, the educational mechanism is gradually becoming data-driven and dynamic.

As of the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, there are 37 independent vocational undergraduate institutions in China. AI technology is integrated throughout the professional construction process in these institutions. In course reforms, enterprise mentors collaborate with professional teachers to transform real sales data into teaching resources. Enterprise mentors participate in theoretical teaching, while professional teachers guide students in practical experiences at companies, ultimately training professionals with AI application capabilities tailored to industry needs. Schools and enterprises also jointly conduct technology research and clinical testing, pushing for iterative advancements in industry technology.

AI-driven blended learning is becoming the mainstream teaching model in vocational education. For example, the “Optometry Technician” course utilizes the “Smart Eye Assistant” AI tool to provide personalized learning paths, real-time question-and-answer support, and precise tutoring. This shifts classroom teaching from a teacher-led approach to collaborative exploration between teachers and students. The course has been recognized as a high-quality online course in Shanghai and shares its resources with various health institutions.

Transformation of Teacher Roles

The transformation of teacher roles is also noteworthy. Teachers are evolving from knowledge transmitters to learning facilitators, course developers, and technology application promoters. This shift raises the bar for the existing “dual-qualified” teacher workforce, requiring educators to master AI teaching tools, digital resource development, and intelligent learning analysis to achieve precise and personalized teaching. Enterprise mentors play a continuous role in course development and teaching, allowing students to engage in real industry projects and align talent cultivation with industry standards.

Upgrading Practical Teaching

Practical teaching is a crucial component of vocational education for cultivating technical skills. However, many practical training programs face constraints such as high costs and limited coverage. AI-enabled virtual simulation training platforms can alleviate these issues.

For instance, a university-developed “Virtual Simulation Optometry E-commerce Software” has received national software copyright. The software was developed using real operational data from enterprises, creating gamified learning scenarios that allow students to practice e-commerce operations in a risk-free environment. AI assistants help students reinforce their knowledge and make better decisions; AI simulation training enhances customer service skills; and AI-generated content allows for personalized online store designs without artistic skills. The virtual scenarios support repeated training and corrections, significantly reducing training costs and safety risks.

Additionally, AI systems can collect and analyze students’ training data in real time, identifying weak skill areas and providing targeted reinforcement training content. Practical data indicates that AI-enabled reforms in practical teaching have led to significant improvements in students’ core skill metrics and operational accuracy.

Enhancing Teacher Digital Literacy and Skills

Enhancing teachers’ digital literacy and skills is urgent. Although the prediction that AI would replace teachers has proven false, teachers who do not understand AI cannot sustain their roles long-term. Vocational education teachers should be at the forefront of reform, fully harnessing the potential of AI to innovate educational models. They must not only learn to use AI but also integrate it into both theoretical and practical teaching, ensuring alignment with industry upgrades.

The traditional concept of “dual-qualified” teachers is no longer sufficient for the needs of contemporary vocational education. The previous requirement of holding both a teaching qualification and a vocational qualification is now merely a starting point. In the future, AI will undoubtedly be incorporated into the teacher qualification examination and certification system.

This is not unfounded; in recent years, AI has been integral to various research projects at national, provincial, and institutional levels. The Ministry of Science and Technology’s 2025 guidelines for AI-driven scientific research projects emphasize disruptive technology innovations in complex foundational and applied sciences. Projects aligned with Shanghai’s technological and industrial development will receive support, encouraging university faculty to actively apply.

Furthermore, the evaluation criteria for high-quality online courses in Shanghai’s vocational education explicitly prioritize AI as a key direction for teaching reform. Many vocational institutions have established dedicated sections for “AI Empowerment and Industry-Education Integration,” encouraging innovative projects. Clearly, AI has transitioned from an optional component to a necessity in educational projects.

Lastly, student competitions, such as the “Challenge Cup” organized by multiple ministries, have introduced an AI + special competition category in 2025, reflecting the highest level of technological innovation among university students. This competition aligns with national strategic needs, and as guiding teachers, one must consider how to deeply integrate AI into these projects, moving beyond mere skills competition to meaningful applications.

Conclusion

The transformation brought about by AI in education presents numerous considerations for vocational education. From shifting cultivation goals to deep integration with industry, from upgrading practical teaching to enhancing teacher skills, every aspect is interconnected and organically unified. However, this is merely a foundational framework at a high starting point. Vocational education must keep pace with AI advancements, continuously iterating and innovating to create a new ecosystem that cultivates high-quality, innovative talents that meet industry demands, providing solid talent support for the high-quality development of China’s economy and society.