Everyday Reflections

AI will be part of the school curriculum from Class 3 onwards, starting this academic session (2026-27). For primary students, the focus will be on interactive learning to introduce key AI concepts like pattern recognition and logic; while middle school students will explore real-world applications; and high school students will engage with AI innovation and emerging technologies. 

In the previous post, we saw how AI is making inroads in personalised learning. Countries around the world are also incorporating AI in education and training children, so that they can thrive in a competitive AI-driven world. 

To be sure, the current Indian education system — anchored in boards like CBSE, ICSE, and state curriculum — has been lagging and needs change. Rote memorization has long been prioritised, instead of innovation and instilling scientific thinking from an early age. We can see the disconnect as many new graduates are completely unprepared for AI-era jobs. I mean look at the text books they still talk about word procesor and Microsoft XL!

The revised curriculum may bridge the skill gap eventually, but we have to be on our toes as other countries are adopting innovative strategies. We will see the impact down the road, though not all experiments have been successful — the cautionary tale being South Korea which hurriedly launched AI-powered textbooks only to roll them back in four months (see carousel).

An early start also means nothing if it can’t be sustained or it doesn’t suit the level of understanding of students. A lot depends on how we implement the new curriculum and how much practical knowledge will be offered vs theoretical knowledge. Application based learning has become important because we need to build muscles around having context and problem framing. The solutions and approach will become commodity bu ability to grab context and problem statement will be remain key. 

Ever read this instruction file from famed Andresj Krpathy it starts with → “Think Before Coding” 

I guess ancient philosophers aross multiple civilizations would have had best time now than ever .. 

And education alone isn’t enough. We also need to fund AI research + upskill the workforce + boost public-private partnerships to enable AI projects to scale and develop our own AI models. 

To be sure, India boasts of a massive tech workforce. Now, it needs to replicate the strategy to create an AI-ready one. It will require planning, leveraging resources for technical education, making use of our demographic advantage, and bringing in reforms to address skill gaps.  We have to “Adapt” and not “Adopt” if we want to ensure that the our knowledge worker economy evolves to sustain the change AI is bringing.

The AI race has just begun, but sustained efforts could open up opportunities that help us sprint ahead of the competition.

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIInEducation #NEP2020 #NationalEducationPolicy #GlobalAIEducation