Students of KGBVs and model schools relish brush with AI in Andhra Pradesh

“There was excitement in the classroom and, for a few students, they were moments of pure magic. The wide-eyed girls burst into spontaneous giggles, even as the unfamiliar, yet friendly voice of ‘Alexa’, captivated their attention,” recalls G. Sravya, Training and Content Associate at Quest Alliance, a non-profit trust roped in by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to integrate Artificial Intelligence in the school curriculum. “In these three years, our role is to ensure that the students’ understanding of AI deepens through foundational knowledge and hands-on experience, and prepare the young learners for future tech-driven careers,” said Sameera, Andhra Pradesh State Lead for Quest Alliance. “The initial amazement and disbelief of the students is gradually transforming into knowledge that AI is the creation of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence,” said Ms. Sameera, adding that the objective was to make students not only learn the concepts and applications of AI, but also help them build critical thinking and analytical skills to become responsible digital citizens. “The curriculum is designed to develop students’ proficiency in using fundamental AI tools and technologies, while making sure that they also understand the potential risks and iniquities the technology operates with,” said Ms. Sameera, explaining that to encourage creativity, the programme allows students to explore AI applications in various projects, fostering creative expression through technology.