Young children need to be better prepared for the age of artificial intelligence (AI) by learning some basics of the technology, a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) said during the ongoing legislative sessions in Beijing.

Liu Qingfeng, chairman of China's leading tech firm iFLYTEK, presented a proposal on Monday to recommend to lawmakers that future AI innovators be trained from an early age.

As early as 2016, a group of computer scientists and machine ethicists predicted that by the year 2045, automation will push down global employment —a measure known as the labor participation rate—to just 50 percent, according to Science Magazine.

Two years later, due to further breakthroughs, the percentage of jobs that may be replaced by robots is forecast to be even higher, and the projected date even sooner.

Liu proposed that AI courses and experience centers be established in both primary and secondary schools, and that the area be given equal weight with other science subjects.

Such courses are necessary not only to broaden students' horizons but also to help them be well-prepared for the technological revolution, he commented.

“Children should enjoy learning about AI technologies instead of fearing them,” Liu added.

In his recent Government Work Report for 2018, China's Premier Li Keqiang vowed to step up research and development of next-generation AI and its applications, and to promote the Internet Plus model in multiple fields such as medical care, eldercare, education, culture and sports.

The deputy also advised that key initiatives be established to train future talent, create laws to protect data security and expand AI applications to even more fields.

Liu also noted that Chinese leaders are remarkably far-sighted to position AI development strategically, as this frontier industry is currently in a crucial stage of competition.