Experts flag screen-time risks, pitch for responsible AI use in classrooms

Lucknow: Balancing students' screen time, the content they consume, and the responsibility of institutions and faculty in preparing future leaders using AI formed the core of discussions at the "Excellence in Education" event on Saturday.The event was organised by The Times of India and Navbharat Times in association with Gravity Classes. A panel discussion-- "Developing the Next Generation Leaders: Redefining the Role of Education Institutes" -- focused on guiding students beyond marks. Sharda University vice-chancellor Shibram Khara said institutions should focus on students' strengths and overall development. Director PR and outreach of Graphic Era Group of Institutions, Sahib Sablok, highlighted that education should combine academic knowledge with practical skills and teach students to consume content responsibly. Dean and head of Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University, SK Dubey, mentioned that students should apply learning through projects to understand which content is useful for their development. "Active learning works better than only theoretical teaching. Students should be guided on what content to consume, including social media, to support learning. Methods like the ‘Third Pen' strategy and AI-based classes allow independent learning, but human guidance is still needed for character development," said the manager of City Montessori School, Geeta Gandhi Kingdon. Another panel discussion -- "Faculty as Change Agents: Empowering Educators for Future Learning" -- highlighted the role of teachers in AI-enabled classrooms. Senior general manager of Tata Consultancy Services, Ambrish K Srivastava, suggested faculty should learn to use AI prompts and introduce projects and new ideas. Chief marketing officer of DeepSpacial, Saurabh Tyagi, said teachers must guide students responsibly in a digital environment. "Workshops, prompt usage and new project ideas can enhance student engagement and independent learning. Teachers must also be aware of students' mental health, and faculty should use technology while keeping mental health in mind," said assistant professor at Ram Manohar Lohiya Law University, Isha Yadav.