HYDERABAD: A demand for additional coaching to get into IITs and coding, a flavour of the past decade, in schools has now been replaced with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), latest trends suggest. Many schools are contemplating integrating specific courses or holding electives to cater to the growing interest and demand.
“We recognise this shift and have held a couple of meetings to consider innovative ways to introduce AI and ML education, with the aim to equip students with fundamental skills that can prepare them for an AI-dominated job market,” Jyoti Prabhakar, correspondent of a private school, told Deccan Chronicle.
Neeraj, a student who takes online coaching from a private edtech company, said: “These topics are extremely interesting and not taught in a boring way. We are already curious about AI since 2020 and are interest has piqued since ChatGPT and Bard have come to the fore.”
“We would be more than happy to have our child be abreast with the latest, not just in terms of job seeking, but to be up-to-date with the happenings and skill set around him,” said Lakshmi Prabha, Neeraj’s mother.
However, the change brings with it a new set of challenges, say teachers. “Increasing reliance on AI-powered tools for academic tasks, such as homework and assignments, is concerning. While AI tools can certainly aid students in their journey, there is a concern that excessive reliance on such applications might hinder their critical thinking and research skills. It's important for students to strike a balance between AI assistance and independent learning,” said Aditya Jadhav, a teacher.
Shankariah T., a physics lecturer, said that institutions need to ensure students are not merely using AI as a tool but truly understanding the concepts behind the same. “It's exciting that schools are thinking about AI courses, but they should also guide on responsible AI usage and the importance of genuine understanding,” he said.
