Delhi govt to launch 'Opportunity Handbook' in schools to promote AI-driven innovation

New Delhi: The Delhi government is set to introduce an "Opportunity Handbook" in government schools, an initiative aimed at exposing students to real-world challenges across key sectors such as pollution, climate change, space, urban logistics and smart mobility.

The handbook is designed to help students move beyond textbook learning and develop problem-solving skills by creating their own prototypes using artificial intelligence (AI), an official said, adding that the initiative seeks to nurture innovation at the school level and prepare students for future careers in emerging fields.

He said the handbook will function as a structured framework to turn classrooms into innovation spaces, encouraging students to think creatively and work collaboratively. "The idea is to prepare a new generation for the future and build a continuous pipeline of young innovators," the official said.

He also said the government is considering including space as one of the focus sectors based on expert inputs. "We are consulting with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a test pilot with the Indian Air Force, who has suggested the inclusion of space as a sector to inspire students," the official said.

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'Opportunity Handbook' reaches 11 districts, 5 lakh students

He said the Opportunity Handbook will be made available in the form of a digital copy on the AI Grind website, where students can register to participate in the programme. "Students will be able to choose sectors of their own interest from the given options and work on identified problems within those sectors. Based on their selection, they will develop prototypes addressing real-world challenges using artificial intelligence," the official said.

"This handbook will turn classrooms into a cohesive system. Its core objective is to prepare students for the future by helping them think, create and solve problems in an AI-powered world," the official said, adding that the programme aims to link learning with real-life applications. He further explained that the initiative will be rolled out over the next six months as an industry-backed and people-powered programme, bringing together over 200 partners from various sectors.

Students will work on issues of national relevance, including pollution control, smart mobility, education in an AI-driven world and climate change, the official said. The programme is expected to cover students across all 11 districts of the national capital, reaching around 5 lakh learners, an official said.

"The plan is to work across 10 sectors of national relevance, develop nearly 1,000 prototypes, shortlist 100 finalists and groom 50 AI ambassadors from among the students," the official added. The initiative is part of the 'AI Grind' movement, which was launched by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on December 7.