New Delhi: In recent years, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the educational sector has sparked significant interest and debate. This transformative technology offers immense potential to revolutionize the learning experience, promising to enhance engagement, personalization, and efficiency in education. However, as educators and policymakers embrace AI tools and technologies, they face the crucial challenge of striking a delicate balance between fostering creativity and innovation in students while incorporating AI seamlessly into the learning process.

Central to this endeavor is the recognition that AI should catalyze augmentation rather than replacement, empowering students to harness its capabilities effectively to amplify their learning journey. This intersection of AI and education represents a pivotal opportunity to reshape traditional paradigms, nurturing a generation of learners equipped with the skills to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. In this regard, Zain Khan interacted with Dr. Atish Chattopadhyay, Director, Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM) & Vice-Chancellor, Vijaybhoomi University.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

How can AI be harnessed as a friend in the educational sector to enhance learning experiences for fresh talents?

AI’s potential in education is transformative. It is time the institutions integrate AI to personalize the learning journey, adapting to individual student’s pace and style. For instance, AI-driven analytics may be used to provide real-time feedback on student assignments, allowing for tailored support and guidance. Additionally, AI-driven simulations and case studies can enable students to experience complex business scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving skills. Conversational AI powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Natural Language Generation (NLG) can interact with the students 24/7 either through voice or through chatbots. Gamification of the content powered by AI and VR aims to provide an exciting playground for the students where they actively engage with the content and take quick decisions to generate scores through healthy competition with fellow students across the globe. The Virtual Reality (VR) platforms provide an immersive experience to the students where they can attend board meetings, negotiate with the stakeholders, interact with the customers, and address the operational challenges well before they set their feet on the real world.

What potential risks does AI pose as a foe in education, particularly for newcomers to the field?

The risks of AI in education, particularly for newcomers, include reliance on algorithm-driven solutions that may overlook unique educational needs. A significant challenge is ensuring AI doesn’t perpetuate biases. For example, if AI tools are fed historical data that contains biases, these can be unwittingly replicated. As educators, we must emphasize critical thinking and ethical considerations in using AI, ensuring students are aware of these pitfalls. Last but not the least, students should not be over- dependent on LLMs and code generation platforms and should nurture their natural intelligence than relying heavily on artificial intelligence.

In what ways does JAGSoM ensure that students are not only equipped with AI skills but also have a comprehensive understanding of its ethical implications in business?

At JAGSoM, we integrate the ethical dimensions of AI into our curriculum. For example, in our courses, we use case studies on AI-driven hiring processes to discuss biases in AI algorithms. Students engage in projects where they must evaluate the ethical implications of AI deployments in business, fostering an understanding of AI’s societal impact.

How does JAGSoM strike a balance between fostering creativity and innovation in students while incorporating AI tools and technologies into the learning process?

To balance creativity and AI, JAGSoM encourages projects where students use AI as a tool to enhance creative solutions. For instance, in a marketing course, students might use AI to analyze consumer data, but the insights for a campaign and the design are a function of human-centered creativity. This approach ensures that while AI provides insightful data, the human element of creativity is paramount.

How does JAGSoM address concerns about job displacement due to AI and educate students on harnessing AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement?

To address AI-related job displacement concerns, JAGSoM focuses on the fundamentals. We provide students an orientation on ‘learning-to-learn’ and to be a continuous learner.

Each time a new technology came in – machines of the Industrial Revolution, to computers to the internet – concerns of job displacements came simultaneously. However, each time new job roles emerged, the concerns remained unfounded. The same will be the case with AI.

Students also learn how what they see or interact on the internet determines what they are fed with. For example, if one is used to viewing  cricket, the content that he/she will be fed will be to do with cricket based on past behavior – students are made to understand this phenomenon to guard against unintended bias.

We make students understand that AI will continue to remain dependent on existing data, while humans have the power of imagination. The ability to connect the dots across multiple disciplines and humane values like empathy is what will keep a professional employable going forward.

The transformation of Indian classrooms amid the EdTech revolution necessitates a comprehensive reimagining of traditional educational approaches. EdTech can serve as a catalyst for innovation, fostering interactive and personalised learning experiences.

Challenges Faced:

The Indian education landscape is marked by challenges such as unequal access to education, outdated curricula, and inadequate funding have persisted. The escalating population presents an additional complication as available resources are not uniformly distributed among different groups.

According to a report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 25 percent of the country’s population falls within the 0–14 age group, 18 percent in the 10–19 age bracket, and 26 percent in the 10–24 age range. These demographics contribute to a notable disparity between those residing in affluent neighborhoods and those in comparatively underprivileged areas.

EdTech to The Rescue:

The EdTech revolution offers a transformative opportunity for Indian classrooms, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul of traditional educational paradigms. To meet the evolving needs of the 21st century, there is a pressing need to move beyond conventional teaching methods and embrace technology-driven innovation. 

Key aspects of transformation include:

Interactive Learning Platforms: Implementing interactive and engaging digital learning platforms to enhance student participation and understanding. These platforms go beyond traditional teaching methods, incorporating a variety of interactive elements that enhance student understanding and promote active participation.

Personalised Learning: Tailoring education to individual learning styles through adaptive technology, ensuring that students can progress at their own pace. Ed-tech platforms play a crucial role in catering to diverse and individual needs, enabling learners to progress at their speed and fostering a more inclusive learning experience. Furthermore, through adaptive learning algorithms and intelligent tutoring systems, educational platforms can customize content and learning paths to align with the unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles of individual students.

Digital Literacy: Integrating digital literacy into the curriculum to equip students with essential skills for the modern world. It can be effectively integrated by defining clear objectives and goals, developing clear standards and benchmarks for digital literacy skills, which align with educational goals and provide a framework for assessment, and incorporating a variety of digital tools and resources (apps, online research tools, collaborative platforms and multimedia content) into lesson plans.

Teacher Training: Providing comprehensive training for educators to effectively integrate and utilize EdTech tools in the classroom is also essential to achieving the desired goal. It is crucial to ensure educators are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to optimize the use of the ever-evolving technology.

Inclusive Education: Addressing the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to technology for all students, irrespective of their socio-economic background. Inclusive education through EdTech involves leveraging technology to create learning environments that cater to diverse student needs, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for all learners.

Assessment Tools: Implementing technology-driven assessment tools for more accurate and timely evaluation of student progress. These tools play a crucial role in evaluating student understanding, tracking progress, and providing valuable feedback.

Data Security Measures: Implementing robust data security measures to ensure the privacy and safety of student information. Data security is critical to protect sensitive information and ensure the integrity of educational systems.

In addition to the above mentioned, leveraging EdTech to facilitate global connectivity, enabling students to access a broader spectrum of knowledge and perspectives and aligning education with industry demands by incorporating skill development programs that prepare students for the workforce, also bear due consideration. By embracing these transformative elements, Indian classrooms can harness the potential of the EdTech revolution to create a dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready education system. The integration of EdTech tools is a necessity to give shape to a dynamic and forward-looking educational landscape in India.

Author: Aarul Malaviya, Founder, Zamit 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of ObserveNow Media. The author is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and validity of the information presented, encouraging readers to independently verify and seek professional advice if needed.

New Delhi: Hero Vired, a learning technology startup affiliated with the Hero Group, has named Arjun Assi as its new Head of Product. In this role, Arjun will drive innovation and excellence within the product and technology division of Hero Vired. He will lead efforts to improve the accessibility and scalability of the company’s courses, aligning closely with its mission to equip learners with future-ready skills for Industry 4.0.

Arjun brings a wealth of experience to the position, having worked across various domains of product management, technology, and business. With over ten years of experience, he has a proven track record of leading product teams and delivering exceptional customer experiences while achieving significant business objectives. Before joining Hero Vired, Arjun held the position of Assistant Vice President of products at Scaler Academy. His previous experience includes roles at organizations such as Byju’s Exam Prep (formerly Gradeup), Mu Sigma Inc., Times Internet, and the Indian Express.

“There is no Edtech without technology. Technology and product expertise are crucial to ensure innovative, user-centric, and personalized learning experiences. Arjun’s extensive experience and proven track record in driving impactful product strategies and deep understanding of technology align perfectly with our vision of enhancing the accessibility and scalability of our products in an ever-evolving ed-tech space. With Arjun’s leadership, I am confident that we will continue to deliver cutting-edge solutions that will allow us to build a workforce of the future” stated Akshay Munjal, Founder and CEO of Hero Vired.

“Joining Hero Vired presents a remarkable opportunity to contribute to the visionary mission of upskilling working professionals with future-ready skills and preparing them for Industry 4.0. I look forward to leveraging my product expertise to strengthen Hero Vired’s product offerings, thereby enhancing the overall learner experience. Together, we aim to empower learners across the nation to thrive in the digital age” said Arjun Assi, Head of Product at Hero Vired, on his new appointment.

New Delhi: India’s National Education Policy 2020 signaled a significant shift towards securing a prosperous future for all children. Acknowledging that 85% of brain development occurs before the age of six, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is taking steps to fortify the nation’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) landscape. In a bid to enhance early years’ development, the Ministry is set to launch two crucial initiatives: the National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for children aged three to six, and the National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for those from birth to three years.

With programs like Mission Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan 2.0, and others under Mission Shakti, the Ministry aims to empower mothers and their children under six. These initiatives offer comprehensive childcare support, including nutritional aid, educational resources, and activities for holistic development. Currently, the Ministry oversees 13.9 lakh Anganwadi Centres nationwide, serving over 8 crore children under six years old.

The National Curriculum for ECCE 2024, catering to children aged three to six, aligns with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022. It emphasizes competency-based lesson plans and joyful, play-based learning to prepare children for primary school. The curriculum is structured for 36 weeks of active learning, supplemented by reinforcement and initiation periods, fostering a combination of indoor and outdoor, child-led, and educator-led activities. Additionally, it prioritizes screening, inclusion, and referrals for children with disabilities.

For infants and toddlers up to three years old, the National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 focuses on empowering caregivers and Anganwadi Workers. It emphasizes responsive caregiving and early learning opportunities based on the Nurturing Care Framework. The framework provides age-appropriate activities, promoting serve-and-return interactions, caregiver engagement, and positive guidance.

Both documents were developed by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), incorporating feedback from Anganwadi Workers. NIPCCD will conduct training sessions for Anganwadi functionaries to implement the new programs effectively. Additionally, provisions from the curriculum and framework will be integrated into the Poshan Tracker platform, aiming to transform every Anganwadi Centre into a dynamic learning hub in the community.