Highlights:
- Ministry of Education introduces five free Artificial Intelligence courses on the SWAYAM portal.
- Aims to boost AI skills and employability among undergraduates.
Key Facts:
- Courses cover AI/ML using Python, Cricket Analytics, AI in Physics, AI in Chemistry, and AI in Accounting.
- Open to undergraduate students from multiple streams.
- Provided in collaboration with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and other academic partners.
Background:
The Ministry of Education has launched five free AI courses at the SWAYAM portal to train undergraduate students from diverse streams. Students studying science, business, and management will have the chance to gain in-demand competencies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The project is designed to make students more competitive, as well as prepare them to address the real world with the help of technology. Officials said the courses emphasise practical knowledge through interactive labs and real-world projects, ensuring learners can apply their skills beyond the classroom.
The first course, AI/ML using Python, introduces students to Python programming, data visualisation, statistics, and optimisation techniques. It accepts students who have a fundamental background in mathematics and programming. Another new interesting offering on SWAYAM is Cricket Analytics with AI by the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation. This course helps students understand how to quantify the cricketing features of performance and strategy employing artificial intelligence (AI) through the combination of data science and sports.
For the students of science, two subject-specific courses are offered: AI in Physics and AI in Chemistry. The physics course demonstrates how machine learning and neural networks could be applied to the practical issues involving solving complex physics problems, and the chemistry course is primarily focused on covering the applications of AI in drug designing, molecular property estimation, and chemical modeling using sets and Python-based tools.
Commerce and management students can pursue AI in Accounting, which highlights how artificial intelligence is transforming financial practices. This course blends theoretical principles with practical lab activities and is open to first-year undergraduates and above.
According to officials, these courses, being free of cost, will help students from all streams in acquiring skills relevant to industry and improving employability. Among other things, this approach is meant to prepare the students for different career pathways. Providing cutting-edge knowledge is also intended to narrow the potential skill gap in the emerging technologies, thus strengthening the talent base of India in AI.
The Ministry stated that these courses will help undergraduates gain exposure to emerging technologies, improve employability, and prepare for diverse career paths. With AI increasingly integrated into industries worldwide, the initiative is expected to strengthen India’s talent pipeline in technology-driven fields.
