AI course to reach 30,000 students in Bengal schools

KOLKATA: In a bid to bridge digital divide, Computer Shiksha, a Gurgaon-based NGO is set to start a foundational course on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 129 schools across Bengal from next month. The initiative will cover over 30,000 students from economically backward sections across the state.

Since 2012, the organisation has been providing lab and magic box solutions to spread computer literacy among students. “The video of the fundamental AI course is available on social media, and now we will be sending pen drives containing 12 self-learning videos, each of which spans around 35 minutes. We are living in the age of AI, so we decided to integrate it in our computer literacy programme,” said Rakesh Suri, founder of the organisation.




Of the 129 schools, the maximum 32 are situated in North 24 Parganas followed by 17 in Howrah and 16 in Kolkata.

Across the country the organisation that supports around 5,660 schools has so far certified about 1.9 lakh students and trained around 6,736 teachers. The organisation’s goal is to reach out to 25 crore students in the country, who will pass out from different schools without knowing how to operate a computer, according to Suri.

“Several NGOs and foundations have approached us to integrate our AI videos into their flagship programmes that is by embedding our free video courseware in their existing mobile apps, smart boards, computer labs and other digital devices.

We have decided to provide our free courseware via USB sticks couriered for free to NGOs, foundations, ITIs, teacher training centres, and other places who approach us,” he said.