AI-assisted language labs to come up in schools to help students converse in Marathi: CM

Nashik: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that govt was coming up with AI-assisted language laboratories in schools to help students converse in Marathi and to assess their language proficiency."AI has brought both challenges and opportunities. We are leveraging it through language laboratories in every school. During my earlier tenure as the chief minister, we made Marathi compulsory across all schools. Some institutions cite different boards as an excuse. We are now piloting language laboratories where students can interact with AI agents in Marathi, enhancing their reading and comprehension skills," the CM said after inaugurating the fourth World Marathi Conference, organised by the state language ministry, in the city.
Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said merely glorifying a language was not enough for its growth. Concrete efforts were needed to ensure Marathi language becomes a functional medium of communication in fields, such as knowledge, business and trade, he said. "Our language department is undertaking several initiatives to promote Marathi effectively across these domains," Fadnavis said.The CM said the AI-assisted laboratories would also assist in evaluating students' language abilities. "This will ensure that students in the state can read, understand, and speak Marathi confidently," he said.At the event, minister Uday Samant addressed concerns over delays in the construction of the Marathi Bhasha Bhawan. "Some claim they don't see the work happening. If they don't step out of their homes, how will they?" he said. "By Feb 27 next year, phase one of the Bhawan will be opened to the public."Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, in her first public address after assuming office, reiterated govt's commitment to advancing the Marathi language. "Marathi should not remain merely a dialect. It must grow as a language of knowledge, science, industry, technology and livelihood. Govt is taking all necessary steps in this direction," she said.