India’s big push to bolster AI-driven education in schools: Are we ready for it?

Lately, the global discourse has been centered on incorporating artificial intelligence into the classroom. This happens at a time when thinkers continue to flag the potential impact on children’s cognitive skills development due to over-reliance on AI tools. Of course, AI literacy becomes crucial here, but India seems to be willing to take the leap of faith! In what’s being dubbed a strategic move, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently introduced a new programme, called the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR). Aimed at integrating AI competencies into the country’s educational framework, SOAR is specially designed for students from classes 6 to 12 as well as educators. 

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SOARing into an AI-informed future

SOAR is primarily focussed on fostering AI awareness among youngsters and trainers by introducing foundational AI concepts, such as machine learning (ML) basics and ethical AI. Apart from piquing curiosity and aspiration among young minds, educators will be guided to integrate AI modules into existing curricula, ensuring effective delivery and alignment with industry needs. 

As part of the larger picture, SOAR is crafted to strategically support the country’s economic self-reliance vision. The initiative aims at equipping students with skills for high-demand sectors including IT, digital innovation and AI-driven industries. These skills, in turn, are expected to help boost employability and the entrepreneurship acumen. By nurturing a robust ecosystem of AI-literate students and educators, SOAR strives to churn out skilled professionals for roles in AI development and data analytics, among others.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 already emphasises the integration of AI into classrooms and skill development frameworks. Meanwhile, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated schools have also implemented AI as a subject. Additionally, the Centre for AI Excellence aims to leverage AI for Indian languages, encouraging critical thinking in classrooms and transitioning from traditional teaching methods to technology-driven approaches such as ‘chalkboards to chipsets’.

The risk of bypassing deep learning

When it comes to school learning in India, no doubt AI has the potential to enable transformations in personalised teaching, multi-lingual and differential learning as well as real-time assessments. But these exciting opportunities also run the risk of significantly eroding students’ critical thinking and problem-solving ability. In fact, critics are of the opinion that AI is fast replacing creative thinkers while paving the way for a generation of ‘mindless, gullible, AI essay-writing drones’. According to studies, AI is already undermining learning at universities, as many students now use generative chatbots to write assignments and complete their coursework. Unethical reliance on AI may risk bypassing deep learning, leaving students ill-informed and lacking natural aptitude.

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AI in the Indian education system

Despite the risks and challenges of incorporating AI into the curriculum, there’s no denying that AI-driven platforms can transform how education is imparted in our country. When delivered mindfully and in a planned manner, AI can help offer customised lessons, interactive exercises and timely feedback for students and educators in India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where the access to quality education is still limited. Additionally, AI tools can aid teaching by automating day-to-day tasks such as preparing practice tests and monitoring students’ progress. 

Research also underscores the importance of AI in ensuring that the education system is inclusive and all-encompassing. In fact, assistive technologies - such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text and visual learning aids in vernacular languages - can transform the way education is imparted for differently abled students in rural areas and other backward regions. Given the country’s linguistic diversity, AI tools can also help deliver lessons in regional languages, ensuring thorough learning and equal participation. 

The edtech industry is busy creating tools that allow learners to translate English-language videos into an array of regional languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Bhashini project skill-training content is being translated into regional languages. On the other hand, voice-based AI tools - such as Vakyansh - are developing speech recognition systems in 18 languages to help students interact with AI using spoken commands.

How Orchids is using AI models

At Orchids, beta tests are being run using OpenCV and other AI tools to check math rigour worksheet answers. According to Head of STEM Jimmy Ahuja, these models have reduced the evaluation time for teachers, while also helping to identify issues faced by students. “We are also working on the audio analysis of faculty members teaching a class. This is done by converting data from voice to text, and then examining the results with the help of AI. This, in turn, helps in evaluating their teaching methods and providing them with necessary feedback,” he added.