Nearly 8,00,000 CBSE students opt for AI courses in 2024-25 session

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

In the 2024-25 academic session, nearly eight lakh students of the CBSE have for AI courses introduced by the Board in 2019. Responding to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha by Gujarat MP Rajeshbhai Chudasama, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, revealed that approximately 7,90,999 students from 4,538 schools chose AI at the secondary level, while 50,343 students from 944 schools opted for it at the senior secondary level.

The AI course, aimed at fostering readiness and appreciation for its applications, is structured as a 15-hour module for Class 8 and a skill subject for Classes 9-12. The curriculum showcases a gradual progression, combining theoretical and practical learning, designed to develop computational and ethical thinking. In Class IX, students are introduced to AI fundamentals, including neural networks and Python programming, linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By Class X, they explore AI project cycles, data science, computer vision, and the NLP, deepening their technical skills. Class XI shifts to advanced concepts like clustering techniques, regression analysis, and ethical decision-making while reinforcing mathematical foundations.

Finally, Class XII focuses on real-world applications through a comprehensive capstone project, integrating the AI model lifecycle and storytelling with data. This structured approach equips students with both technical expertise and ethical awareness, preparing them for the rapidly evolving world of AI while fostering a socially conscious mindset.