Are Indian Universities Equipped To Teach AI The Right Way? Take A Look

With AI set to impact our lives in such a big way, it is imperative to ensure that our students get the right exposure so that they are ready for the future.

Institutions must establish action learning laboratories that provide regular exposure to industrial methods.

Source : Freepik

By Prof Supriya Pattanaya

Artificial intelligence in India is rapidly expanding, penetrating several industries all at once and contributing considerably to the economy. Projections show that the AI market will grow significantly, with India potentially being a leader in AI adoption and innovation. Artificial intelligence is predicted to enhance India's GDP, create new jobs, and improve efficiency in industries such as healthcare, banking, and manufacturing. 

According to NITI Aayog, AI is expected to contribute notably to India's GDP development, with estimates ranging from 10% of the $5 trillion objective by the end of 2025. It will also grow yearly to 1.3 per cent.

Needs Of The Future

With AI set to impact our lives in such a big way, it is imperative to ensure that our students get the right exposure so that they are ready for the future. The universities of the country will have to play a crucial role here. Students currently learning will face significantly more advanced technologies in the future. 

To be employable and valuable to their employer, their education must fulfil the needs of the future. The education industry is already transforming to keep up with the times while maintaining future expectations at its core. As a result, the goal of skill-based education is to prepare students to be valuable members of the workforce.

Learning Labs

Institutions must establish action learning laboratories that provide regular exposure to industrial methods. Manufacturing units can also be set up within the universities to enable the students to get a complete know-how of the production process. 

These company-sponsored labs will create the groundwork for skill-integrated education. A university often works as a soft landing for students to experiment. They can learn new ways to include AI at different steps, innovate, research and apply their theories to test at these labs. Industry partnerships with the likes of Dassault Systèmes, Schneider Electric, and Yamaha can help students learn from industry leaders while coming up with fresh ideas to create AI-based solutions for various problems.

This not only provides students with a solid foundation for starting a new profession, but it also motivates them to become entrepreneurs because they understand the complete process from product design to development, production, and even patent and production. Armed with the knowledge of AI, they will be able to look at problems differently and create solutions with a quick turnaround time.

Focus On New-Age Technologies

Certain course designs instil technical knowledge in students, as they need the right foundation. Courses like the B.Tech. in CSE with a focus on blockchain technologies, AR-VR, cloud technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science will enable students to move in the right direction. Whether it's a Diploma in Artificial Intelligence, a Database Management course for beginners, or advanced programs like Artificial Intelligence Fundamental Startup Learn, these courses empower professionals to get ahead in the AI space.

We need teachers who have industry expertise and can pass on their knowledge to the students. Universities must create resources to create an environment conducive to learning a technology that is evolving every day. For this, problem-solving skills amongst students must be promoted. 

Additionally, education must be accessible to students from all strata of society, whether rich or poor. This will make our students socially conscious, technically proficient and knowledgeable about the business, ultimately leading to the growth of the nation. 

While some universities are ready for the jump, with their infrastructure set for this practical-oriented course, the ones who aren’t can certainly replicate the model, because AI will be everywhere in no time at all.

(The author is the Vice Chancellor of Centurion University, Odisha)

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