Catching ‘em young: CBSE to introduce Artificial Intelligence as elective subject in schools

Earlier this week, we wrote about the shortage of talent in the AI space. Today, the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision comes after a comprehensive discussion with NITI Aayog.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce ‘Artificial Intelligence’ as an elective subject for Classes VIII, IX and X to bring school education on par with the ongoing advancement in the fields of machine learning and data analytics.

After a session with government’s policy think thank NITI Aayog, CBSE decided to introduce the subject in schools following the syllabus across India. Media reports cited the following government statement:

“The decision to introduce artificial intelligence as a skill subject was taken at a recent meeting of the board’s governing body. It has been decided that the subject would be introduced in classes 8, 9 and 10 as a skill subject.”

The subject is due to be introduced in the new academic year. “With technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics and big data making a huge impact globally, it is important that the board modernises its curriculum to stay abreast of the latest developments. CBSE will help the school with the ‘teaching-learning’ of the topic from the next academic session. It will make the schools well prepared and equipped to teach Artificial Intelligence,” the statement added.

Officials have said that they are in talks with several stakeholders including a school which has been teaching the subject already.

Around 20,299 schools in India and 220 schools in 25 other countries follow the CBSE curriculum. With the ongoing innovation in the field of AI, it is only pertinent that children are equipped with the knowledge and skills to explore the discipline, which is ever-evolving and has pervaded all forms of tech use.

[Also read: If you're looking for a job, here's a tip: AI has taken centre stage in India but is short on talent]