Punjab introduces Artificial Intelligence as main subject for Classes 1 to 12

The Punjab government has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a mainstream subject from Class 1 to 12, the state education minister Harjot Singh Bains announced. The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) will introduce the curriculum in a phased manner under the 'Sarbat.AI' project.

Punjab has become the first state in the country to do so, Bains added.

Bains, along with former Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia, launched the project along with education experts, technology partners and senior officials of the Punjab school education department.

While addressing a gathering, Bains said: "Today marks the beginning of a new era in Punjab's education system. Punjab has become the first state in India to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream subject from Class 1 to 12. We are moving from leading the Green Revolution to leading the Artificial Intelligence Revolution."

The initiative will equip students with future-ready skills while fostering innovation, ethical AI, entrepreneurship and responsible digital citizenship.

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AI curriculum aligns with UNESCO's framework

The curriculum for the AI subject has been developed after studying international best practices from Singapore, Finland, the UAE and the United States. It has been aligned with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Ethical AI Framework, ensuring students learn ethical use of AI while meeting global standards.

While explaining the implementation plan, the minister reiterated the following details for phases 1 and 2.

AI curriculum Phase 1

Phase 1 will begin with Classes 8 to 12 by integrating AI into the computer science curriculum in government and affiliated private schools, wherein students will learn via online classes, recorded lectures, project-based learning, assessments and a 'learning management system'.

AI curriculum Phase 2

In Phase 2, AI education will be expanded to Classes 1 to 7, ensuring students get age-appropriate AI education from the foundational years.

The programme is built on PSEB's AI Pilot programme in collaboration with FA-AI, which culminated in a statewide AI Hackathon.

"The programme will be implemented technologically by Neeev AI and strengthened through strategic collaborations with Google, Intel, Canva and FA-AI to enhance AI literacy, teacher capacity building, innovation and workforce readiness," the minister added.

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AI learning to benefit nearly 31.5 lakh students

The programme will benefit 25,172 schools and nearly 31.5 lakh students. In Phase 2, 12,424 computer science teachers will lead implementation, while more than two lakh teachers across all disciplines will be trained to roll out AI into teaching, learning and assessment.

AAP leader and former education minister Sisodia said: "Punjab has scripted history with the launch of this project and has established itself as a national benchmark for AI education. This initiative reaffirms the state's commitment to preparing students not merely to use Artificial Intelligence but to innovate with it, create with it and lead in the technology-driven future." With inputs from PTI