All governments are racing to equip their citizens with AI skills, but their approaches vary wildly
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a concept from science fiction any more. As it becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, AI literacy – the ability to understand and interact with AI effectively – is more crucial than ever. Countries worldwide are now racing to educate their citizens in this field.
Consider the case of Japan, which is facing significant demographic challenges with nearly a third of its population aged 65 or older – for perspective, compare that to a more manageable 15 per cent in China. Japan is making a substantial bet on AI, hoping it can help maintain productivity and economic stability as its workforce shrinks.
However, it has considerable ground to cover. According to Stanford University’s 2025 AI Index Report, Japan’s private investment in AI in 2024 was only US$0.93 billion. This pales in comparison to the US (US$109.08 billion), China (US$9.29 billion) and the UK (US$4.52 billion), and is even behind regional players like South Korea and India.
To address this, the Japanese parliament passed the Act on the Promotion of Research and Development and the Utilisation of AI-Related Technologies in May, recognising AI technologies as “fundamental … for the development of Japan’s economy and society”.
