Digital India initiative "Responsible AI For Youth" extends deadline to August 15; Government School Students Participate now

Early April, the government announced the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Portal. National e-Governance Division, MeitY and NASSCOM jointly developed the program. The Union Budget originally announced the program this year. Then, this portal announced the "Responsible AI for Youth Programme". The program aims at imparting education and skills in AI to students in government schools. The programme will aim to bring AI education and skills at the school level, with a focus on students who are studying in government schools.

If we’re able to empower ordinary Indians with the power of technology, then surely it will be a defining moment for us," said IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. He also said that AI will never replace the human mind and that it can’t replace human conscience. The Minister also implored Intel to come with products in AI, which can be replicated in global countries. He reiterated that all sectors must learn to adopt digital means for doing business.

The programme was initially dated to July 31. Currently, the MeitY has extended the program deadline to August 15.

About the Responsible AI for Youth Program

Nasscom, chipmaker Intel and CBSE are also part of the project. The programme aims to equip students with the skill sets and mindset required for AI readiness. It is open to students from Government Schools based in District Headquarters, in classes 8-12.

“AI is absolutely critical. I want India to become synonymous with AI. It is important because the world will see at least $16 trillion more in the next ten years or so. And I want to see how India can get most of this into our economy" said Nivruti Rai, Country Head, Intel India. Rai also said that India has 250 million students in schools today (between kindergarten and class 12). And only about 40% of these students are in private and urban schools.

How to enrol in the programme?

In the first phase of the programme, selected teachers and students will undergo orientation and online training sessions. then students will submit a 60-second video online. The panel will shortlist the top 100 ideas and will take the students to boot camps and get further help to develop such ideas.

The self-nomination is also applicable to teachers. The government will seek 10 teachers per state and they will receive training to understand the programme. These teachers will nominate 25-50 students from their schools and share their details with the team. The students will rework their ideas after the first phase and submit a final project video through the programme’s website.

The third phase then includes 50 shortlisted ideas and students will be invited to showcase these ideas and submit a final project on the website.

“What covid-19 has done is just amazing. It has brought technology to the forefront as nothing else has," said Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom. “Yes, AI is important for India. I also believe India is important for AI," she added, saying that the work India does on AI will be important for the world going forward.

You can participate here.