State of Education Report 2022

Context: UNESCO has released the State of education report for India 2022: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education

Findings:

India has the highest relative AI skill penetration rate ( over 3 times the global average)

AI literacy is increasing and is important for India

India has a one-size-fits-all approach: Using personalized and intelligent AI-based tutoring will help learning become diversified

India should:

-Consider teaching Ethics of AI

-Correct Algorithmic biases and discrimination in AI

-Involve the private sector and PPP in developing AI-based products.

-Use AI for equality, equity, inclusion and improved learning outcomes

-Use AI for the inclusion of linguistic diversity

Issues:

-India lacks policies for AI in education

-Lack of digital infrastructure

-Increasing use of AI for fakes, cheating

-Focus on memorization-based education (instead of critical thinking)

Government steps:

-NEP 2020 emphasises using digital tools ( including AI) in education for meeting the skill-based demands of Industry 4.0.

-CBSE has AI as an elective subjectfor its ninth-grade classes.

National Program on AI

-AIRAWAT (Artificial Intelligence Research, Analytics and Knowledge Assimilation Platform)

National Strategy for AI

Conclusion:Government should consider AI with the aim of 5 ‘I’s that stand for Inclusiveness, Indigenization, Innovation, Investment in infrastructure & International cooperation.

About the report:

-It is the 4^th edition of the annual report of UNESCO with the aim of increasing the application of AI in education in India.

About UNESCO

-The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  (founded in 1945, Hq: Paris) is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture.