As one of China's first cities to put AI in education, Qingdao has established a new way to cover all grade levels and has integrated AI into everyday teaching. From kindergartens to high schools, smart tools are reshaping how students learn and teachers instruct.

At a primary school in the Qingdao West Coast New Area, a student struggled with calculating the surface area of cylinders. Principal Li Li, an experienced math teacher, used an AI tool to photograph his wrong answers. Within seconds, the system provided a precise error analysis and generated three tailored questions, helping the student grasp each subject. "AI makes individualized instruction a reality for every exercise and every student," Li said.

Meanwhile, at an experimental school in Qingdao's Laoshan district, smart terminals collect answers, automatically identify frequent mistakes, and offer personalized exercises. Smart writing devices track learning progress, while an AI companion gives instant feedback and custom drills.

"Before, I had to wait for the teacher to correct my mistakes. Now the AI companion in my smart pen case tells me right away and recommends similar questions. It's like having a little teacher beside me," a student said. This data-driven approach connects lesson planning, instruction, and evaluation, transforming how students learn.

Rural schools are benefiting too. Dongtai Primary School in Laoshan uses a smart education platform to analyze teaching data and pinpoint professional development needs, transforming vague discussions into targeted improvements. Even kindergartens have integrated AI: at Yunshan Town Central Kindergarten in Pingdu, children explore solar terms through AR interactions, create digital art, and enjoy gamified learning.

Qingdao builds an AI-powered education ecosystem across all grades, turning data into growth for every child. [Photo/Guanhai News]