An innovative initiative to establish India as a global leader in emerging technologies, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has designated 2025 as the “Year of AI.” This ambitious move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a “Vishwa Guru” (world leader) in technology. AICTE aims to empower over 14,000 colleges and 40 million students nationwide to adopt and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their academic and professional endeavors.

AICTE Chairman Prof. T.G. Sitharam has called upon all educational institutions to begin 2025 with an AI Affirmation Pledge, underscoring their dedication to AI integration. Institutions are also encouraged to initiate transformative AI-driven projects, with AICTE mandating the submission of detailed AI Implementation Plans by December 31, 2024, as part of India’s broader AI revolution.

This declaration forms a key element of AICTE’s strategy to elevate technical education across the country. The council has been at the forefront of promoting AI education, recognizing its transformative potential across various sectors. To bolster this effort, AICTE is facilitating internships in AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning, among other cutting-edge fields. With a target of offering 10 million internships to technical graduates by 2025, AICTE has already achieved 5.4 million, significantly ramping up opportunities through virtual internships post-pandemic.

The initiative is expected to reshape India’s education landscape, equipping students with essential AI skills and enhancing their employability in a rapidly evolving job market. By integrating AI into curricula, fostering innovation, and collaborating with industry, the program aims to prepare students for the future while driving economic growth.

Educational institutions have been urged to create comprehensive AI Implementation Plans encompassing curriculum upgrades, faculty training, infrastructure development, and partnerships with industry. AICTE has pledged to provide resources, guidelines, and best practices to support this transformative mission.

As the December 2024 deadline for plan submissions nears, institutions nationwide are mobilizing resources to align with AICTE’s vision. This collective endeavor marks a pivotal step in embedding AI into India’s education system, ensuring the nation not only keeps pace with global advancements but also leads the charge in AI education and innovation.