Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India will soon gear up to introduce the curriculum "AI for All,” aimed at building awareness on Artificial Intelligence (AI) which will prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Future Right Skills Network (FRSN) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Training (DGT), marks a significant step towards equipping youth with awareness on AI to enhance their employability prospects.
In the presence of Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan the MOU between DGT and FRSN was exchanged. “For new entrants in the job market skilling is critical and for ones who are already working, reskilling and upskilling is critical,” Pradhan said on the occasion.He said that he was also delighted that all the MoUs have an element of tech in it, which was imperative in making things evolve faster and also played a critical role in communication and networking.
“Our present era is a disruptive era. Whoever is able to see it and tries to understand this, will remain relevant.”
The "AI for All'' curriculum aims to initiate the journey into AI by fostering awareness, with a focus on bridging the gap between industry requirements and academic offerings. This step is crucial in aligning academic programs with the evolving needs of industries. The AI curriculum by FRSN is part of the larger initiative of DGT, to integrate AI learning at ITIs.
This initiative envisions to empower up to 2.5 million learners across 15,000 ITI’s nationwide, equipping them with essential future skills such as digital literacy, green mindsets, problem-solving, critical thinking and workplace readiness among others.
Aakash Sethi, CEO, Quest Alliance said that the objective behind developing the curriculum was to help learners gain a comprehensive understanding of AI, its history and principles as well as understand the types of AI.
“In addition to this, learners can also explore the use of AI and Generative AI tools in creating various digital contents and in education. We also ensure that the learners understand and discuss the ethical considerations and responsible use of AI,” he said.
He also added that by equipping our youth with future skills, we not only empower them to thrive in an increasingly complex landscape but also foster a community of lifelong learners and innovative problem-solvers.
The renewed MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration to work in four broad areas: curriculum and assessment to build employability skills, trainer development, women and work, and integration of future skills such as Green and AI.
Formed in 2019, FRSN is a collaborative effort of QUEST Alliance, Accenture, Cisco, J.P. Morgan, and SAP Labs India. The collaborative underscores a collective commitment to empowering India's youth for the knowledge economy.
