To meet the rising demand for AI and data science knowledge in India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has introduced plans to incorporate AI courses into the country’s educational curriculum. These courses will begin at the school level, starting from Class 6. A committee has developed a comprehensive curriculum for these courses under the ‘National Programme on Artificial Intelligence (NPAI) Skilling Framework,’ ensuring that students nationwide are adequately equipped for AI education. The estimated demand for Artificial Intelligence/Data Science professionals in India is expected to exceed 1 million by 2024.

The committee’s report in June 2023 underscores the necessity of introducing AI education at various levels within the educational system. These courses will be aligned with both the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework and the National Credit Framework, ensuring a consistent approach to AI education across the nation.

The committee emphasised the importance of ethical considerations within AI education, recommending that at least 10 percent of the course duration be dedicated to ethical aspects. This approach aims to promote responsible development and deployment of AI systems, with an emphasis on transparency, fairness, and privacy.

Click here to access the report on National Programme on Artificial Intelligence (NPAI) Skilling Framework

To keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of AI, the report highlights the importance of flexible course development. It suggests creating smaller modules, such as micro-credentials, to adapt to technological advancements. Regulatory bodies, including the National Council for Vocational Education and Training, the All India Council for Technical Education, and the University Grants Commission, have been tasked with establishing guidelines and standards for AI education. You can access the reports on the University Grants Commission’s website at www.ugc.gov.in.

A recent NASSCOM report identified a 51 per cent shortfall in the demand and supply of AI and disruptive technology capabilities, leading to the introduction of AI courses in schools and undergraduate programs. The carefully crafted, age-appropriate school curriculum covers essential AI principles, machine learning, data management, programming, and ethical considerations.

Additionally, the report proposes faculty development programs to enhance educators’ understanding of AI concepts and teaching methodologies.

Current status: AI skilling

Various AI skill courses are currently available, with additional courses continually being developed. Within the government’s skill development network, courses are offered by entities such as Future Skills Prime (overseen by the NASSCOM Sector Skill Council), NPTEL, Centre of Advanced Studies (CDAC), and NIELIT. These courses cater to students at the school level, and a significant number of courses are also accessible through AICTE accredited institutions.

Training of assessors

AI assessments will be categorised into four groups:

Knowledge-based assessments: These evaluations are expected to consist of multiple-choice questions or interactive environments that can be automatically graded. Subject matter experts (SMEs) will design these assessments, adhering to robust assessment design principles. To facilitate these assessments, proctors will need training for administration. These assessments can be conducted in both formative and summative formats based on specific requirements.

Application-based assessments: These assessments will be conducted by college or undergraduate students and will be evaluated by college faculty members in collaboration with industry partners who will establish standardized norms and criteria for assessment. The assessors themselves will receive training from the industry or in accordance with institutional standards.

Industry certifications: These assessments will follow the standards set by the industry or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Projects, hackathons, and internships: These evaluations will be initiated and guided by the industry and will involve specific projects aligned with the project objectives, necessitating training in accordance with those objectives.

Jio Plaza, which opens today in Mumbai, is set to be a brand new frontier for luxury shopping in the city of dreams. So when its arrival was celebrated by the stars of Bollywood at its inaugural event last night, of course it was in their luxurious best. It was new mom Alia Bhatt‘s “night out” as she stepped out for the opening night of Jio World Plaza in divine couture. The Bollywood actress wore a chocolate brown toned gown by Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture. The silhouette included a strapless brown corset with satin ribbing over the bodice. The base of the gown featured similar toned tights and a floral detailed caged skirt over it, which added an eccentric voluminous flair to the outfit overall.

(Also Read: Deepika Padukone In A Cold Shoulder Louis Vuitton Dress With Boots Welcomes Autumn Most Fabulously)

Despite opting for a strapless neckline, Alia skipped neckwear and only went with gold Outhouse earrings to match the warm tones of her outfit. A couple of stacked finger rings were part of her accessory game too.

To accent the minimally chic toasty toned designer look she wore, Alia went with a purposefully undone beauty look. Her recently chopped shoulder-length bob haircut was styled in messy waves, parted off the centre and swept to one side. The star’s makeup was neutral toned and enhancing for her complexion. She showcased a wash of bronze shimmer over her lids with full brows framing her face. A nude satin shade covered her lips and gleaming highlighter was swept over the high points of her cheeks, giving an illuminated look.

You won’t need to wait for the weekend for fashion inspiration when Alia Bhatt can look this stunning in the middle of the work week.

(Also Read: From Alia Bhatt To Kriti Sanon, The Turned Out Blowout Hairstyle Is Bollywood’s Latest Hair Trend)

Scores of foreign passport holders started leaving war-torn Gaza Wednesday after Egypt opened the Rafah crossing for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, AFP correspondents said.

It was not immediately clear how many people managed to leave via Rafah on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, but live footage from the scene showed crowds of people entering the Palestinian side of the terminal.

Although more than 200 trucks of desperately-needed aid have crossed into Gaza from Egypt, no people have been allowed to flee the battered enclave, with some 400 foreigners and dual nationals expected to make the crossing on Wednesday.

Foreign governments say there are passport holders from 44 countries, as well as 28 agencies, including UN bodies, living in the Gaza Strip where 2.4 million people have endured more than three weeks of unrelenting Israeli bombardment in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.

The tiny coastal territory has also suffered “catastrophic” shortages of food, water and electricity following an almost total Israeli blockade in response to the attacks, the worst in Israel’s history, that killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, more than 8,500 people have been killed in the bombardments, two-thirds of them women and children.

Separately, Egypt said a first group of 81 seriously sick or wounded Palestinians would be allowed in to Egypt for medical treatment on Wednesday, with television channels close to the Egyptian intelligence services broadcasting live images of a fleet of ambulances entering the terminal.

Palestinian sources said they expected 88 people to be taken across for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.

The decision to open the crossing came hours after an Israeli strike on the largest refugee camp in Gaza, where the health ministry said at least 50 people were killed.

Egypt on Tuesday condemned the strike on Jabalia camp “in the strongest terms”, warning against “the consequences of the continuation of these indiscriminate attacks that target defenceless civilians” in a foreign ministry statement.