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How is the Academic Integrity policy implemented?
The Indian government has taken proactive steps to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education policy and curriculum. AI is now part of school learning under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and other initiatives. However, there are major gaps in its implementation. Educators and students are not receiving proper training or tools to use AI effectively. Instead of fostering hands-on or experiential learning, the focus is mainly on memorizing information about AI.
Another concern is the government’s emphasis on AI bias during elections while neglecting media literacy education. There are no structured programs to teach students how to critically evaluate information, assess credibility, or analyze truth from different perspectives. Even when facts are presented, they can be influenced by personal values, religious beliefs, and biases. Without a strong foundation in scientific methods of investigation, students lack the necessary skills to interpret AI-generated content effectively. India’s AI education has grand policies, but zero groundwork. Are schools faking it?
AI Policies in Indian Education
Key Educational Policies
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP highlights the importance of AI in education, aiming to build AI literacy among students. It promotes ethical considerations in AI use and encourages the integration of technology in classrooms. This policy seeks to ensure that students from different socio-economic backgrounds can access quality education through AI tools.
- National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: This strategy prioritizes AI in education and recommends curriculum changes to include AI-related subjects. It encourages adaptive learning technologies and predictive analytics to improve student learning. Additionally, it calls for a shift toward skill-based education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, including Coding and other computer engineering content.
Govt Implementation Initiatives
- AI as a Subject: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced AI as an optional subject in 2019-2020. The curriculum is designed to give students a basic understanding of AI through activities and projects. As of 2022-2023, more than 386,000 students had enrolled in AI courses at the secondary level.
- State-Level Programs: Several states are adopting AI curricula. Madhya Pradesh, for example, launched an AI course for students in class VIII and above in partnership with Microsoft. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have plans to introduce AI education in the coming years.
Truth in Schools
Despite the positive policy steps, what do you see in schools?
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- Lack of Hands-on Learning: AI is being taught as a theoretical subject rather than a practical skill. Students are not getting real-world exposure to AI tools.
- Digital Divide: Many rural areas lack the infrastructure and internet connectivity needed for AI-based learning. This creates a gap in technology access.
- Urban Schools: Why talk about rural areas lacking the infrastructure, when the urban schools have nothing to be proud of. No policy and no implementation. Plagiarism, still thrives in schools.
- Limited Teacher Training: Educators need structured training programs to teach AI and integrate it into their teaching methods effectively. Currently, such programs are scarce and theoretical only.
- Privacy Concerns: Student data collection raises serious ethical and security concerns. AI-driven educational tools need clear policies on data protection.
Use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in India
The Indian government emphasizes transparency and ethics in AI through policies, but a crucial question remains:
Especially when students are asked to memorize answers from guides, isn’t that a form of plagiarism? When students are expected to explain concepts in their own words, but instead regurgitate textbook answers.
Ethical Considerations recommended by the Government
1. Transparency and Accountability
- AI-generated content should be clearly labeled with metadata so that users can distinguish between human-created and AI-generated materials.
- Measures should be in place to detect and prevent bias, discrimination, and misinformation.
2. Data Privacy and Security
- Heads of schools must protect user data and prevent misuse of sensitive information and do they have a policy in place?
3. Fairness and Inclusivity
- AI models should be trained using diverse datasets to minimize biases and ensure equitable access to AI technology.
4. Preventing Misinformation and Bias
- AI tools should not be used to manipulate public opinion, especially during elections. Platforms are encouraged to embed consent mechanisms to verify and correct inaccurate information.
Questions to ponder:
- How do we ensure that AI technology is accessible to students, and if so, how?
- Do schools have a policy and procedures to ensure student data is NOT being shared? (There is misuse of personal data leading to scams and theft)
- How does the teacher apply this or teach this to the other adults and students in schools and colleges?
- Do schools have a policy and curriculum to teach students about biases and AI-generated content?
- How many schools have an academic integrity policy, and how is that policy shared with teachers, staff, and students?
- Where is the learning? When will this reliance on rote memorization stop? What do students know about the use of LLMs?
- What do teachers know about LLMs? Are they creating lesson plans for their growth and personal learning, or are they doing so to help students become relevant learners?
India is trying hard to integrate AI into education and regulate its ethical use. However, the current approach focuses more on policy than practical implementation.
For AI to truly benefit Indian students and society, a stronger emphasis is needed on:
- Hands-on AI learning experiences.
- Critical media literacy programs.
- Teacher training in AI applications.
- A scientific approach to evaluating information for adults and students.
When will this happen & how?
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