AI holds great potential in learning, skilling: Modi at G20 education ministers’ meet
PM Modi outlined India’s holistic approach to education, focusing on the significance of foundational literacy as the bedrock of youth development.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasized the significant potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fields of learning, skilling, and education.
Speaking at the G20 education ministers‘ meet, PM Modi highlighted the transformative power of technology and its role in shaping the future of education.
Modi underscored the foundational importance of education in the development of civilizations and the progress of humanity. He referred to the education ministers as “Sherpas” leading mankind towards development, peace, and prosperity.
PM Modi outlined India’s holistic approach to education, focusing on the significance of foundational literacy as the bedrock of youth development. He commended the government’s “Nipun Bharat” initiative, which aims to promote proficiency in reading with understanding and numeracy. He expressed his satisfaction that the G20 has also recognized the priority of foundational literacy and numeracy.
The prime minister emphasized the need for innovative e-learning methods to provide quality education with effective governance. He highlighted the success of the “Swayam” online platform, which offers courses from Class 9 to post-graduate levels.
PM Modi noted its popularity, with over 34 million enrolments and more than 9000 courses. He also highlighted the “Diksha Portal,” which enables school education through distance learning, providing support in 29 Indian and 7 foreign languages. The platform has already witnessed over 137 million course completions.
“With over 34 million enrolments and more than 9000 courses, Swayam has become a very effective learning tool. Diksha portal is supporting learning in 29 Indian and seven foreign languages...[there have been] over 137 million course completions so far. India would be happy to share these experiences and resources, particularly with those in the Global South,” he said.
PM Modi stressed the importance of continuously skilling, reskilling, and up-skilling the youth to ensure their readiness for the future. He mentioned India’s skill mapping initiative, wherein the education, skill, and labor ministries collaborate to align competencies with evolving work profiles and practices. The prime minister called on G20 countries to undertake global skill mapping to identify and address skill gaps.
Highlighting the role of digital technology in promoting inclusivity, PM Modi acknowledged its capacity as an equalizer and a catalyst for increasing access to education. He also emphasized the tremendous potential of AI in the domains of learning, skilling, and education. The prime minister urged G20 to strike the right balance between the opportunities and challenges posed by technology.
PM Modi further emphasized the significance of research and innovation and highlighted India’s “Atal Tinkering Labs,” which serve as hubs for research and innovation among school children. He encouraged G20 countries to foster research collaborations, especially in the Global South.
The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction that the G20 Education Ministers‘ Meet had identified green transition, digital transformations, and women’s empowerment as key accelerators for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
“Education is at the root of all these efforts”, the Prime Minister said, as he expressed confidence that the outcome of the meeting will be an inclusive, action-oriented and future-ready education agenda. “This would benefit the whole world in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future”, the prime minister concluded.