As India strides confidently towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the transformation of its education system has become central to the country’s growth story. Technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is now redefining how knowledge is created, disseminated, and applied. Speaking at the 20th FICCI Higher Education Summit, Smt. Padma Jaiswal, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Puducherry, shared her insights on the integration of AI into education and its potential to reshape India’s learning landscape.
Reimagining Education in the Age of AI
Reflecting on her experiences in Goa and Puducherry, where she played a key role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), Smt. Jaiswal highlighted the philosophical shift that AI brings to education. “The government is encouraging the implementation of artificial intelligence in all spheres. Universities have been entrusted with redefining curricula, academic programmes, and pedagogical skills to align with emerging technologies,” she said.
This redefinition, she emphasised, goes beyond technology. It marks a transition from rote memorisation to analytical thinking and innovation. “Information is no longer scarce — it is everywhere. Students today can access vast knowledge through a single device. Our role as educators must evolve from providers of information to facilitators of critical and creative thinking,” she added.
AI, according to her, is enabling this transition by personalising education, promoting collaboration, and fostering creativity across disciplines.
From Learning to Employability: Bridging the Skills Gap
As India envisions its development trajectory towards 2047, employability has become a key national priority. Smt. Jaiswal underscored that AI will play a crucial role in ensuring that India’s youth are future-ready. “The sectors most likely to be disrupted by AI are technology, healthcare, and education,” she said, citing an OECD report. “Therefore, it is imperative that our students are prepared not just for the present but for the future workplace.”
She highlighted the persistent gap between academia and industry, noting that many graduates lack the skills sought by employers. To bridge this divide, she advocated for AI-driven learning models and stronger industry-academia collaboration. “Boot camps, industry interaction programmes, and corporate-academia partnerships must be leveraged to realign education with industry expectations,” she said. “Skill development is no longer optional; it is essential.”
India’s Global Leadership in Knowledge and Collaboration
The recent G20 Summit hosted by India further underscored the nation’s growing influence in global education and innovation. Smt. Jaiswal observed that India is now viewed as both a knowledge economy and a talent powerhouse. “Several countries now see India as a prospective destination for educational investment and innovation. Our universities must be ready to absorb and leverage these opportunities,” she asserted.
She lauded the government’s progressive policies aimed at fostering innovation, autonomy, and collaboration. However, she also cautioned that the real challenge lies in effective implementation — ensuring that educational institutions not only open their doors to global opportunities but also capitalise on them.
AI-Driven Research and Innovation
Puducherry, home to a vibrant network of universities and research hubs, has been at the forefront of AI adoption in academia. Sharing her experience, Smt. Jaiswal remarked, “When I look at our institutions, I see how research has evolved — from using simple machine learning models to advanced algorithms and large language models. AI is revolutionising how we conduct research.”
She explained how AI enables researchers to take a multidisciplinary approach, linking diverse subjects like climate change, social sciences, and humanities. “AI has blurred the boundaries between academic silos. It has made research more collaborative and holistic,” she noted.
This transformation, she argued, calls for a new kind of university — one that is interconnected, innovative, and interdisciplinary.
Democratizing and Personalizing Learning
AI’s potential to personalise learning, according to Smt. Jaiswal, is one of its most powerful contributions to education. “Each student learns differently — some through text, some through visuals or simulations. AI enables teachers to tailor content to individual learning preferences, making education truly inclusive,” she said.
By redefining classroom environments and teaching methodologies, AI ensures that learning is no longer confined to a rigid structure. Instead, it adapts to the learner — empowering both teachers and students to co-create the learning experience.
Balancing Innovation with Responsibility
While championing the integration of AI, Smt. Jaiswal urged caution. “AI is a kind of black box — powerful but unpredictable,” she warned. “If researchers or educators rely on it completely without oversight, it can lead to data inaccuracies, biases, or hallucinations.”
She emphasised the need for ethical AI governance, calling for strong frameworks on data privacy, accountability, and transparency. “We must ensure that AI systems are fair, explainable, and built on credible data sources. Human oversight must remain central,” she stressed.
Universities as the Pillars of Future India
Smt. Jaiswal connected AI adoption with India’s broader global aspirations. From leading the International Solar Alliance to advancing bioethanol production and semiconductor innovation, India’s progress, she noted, depends on its human capital. “Our universities must become crucibles of creativity,” she said. “They must integrate AI into curriculum design, research methodology, and innovation labs, while upholding ethical and regulatory safeguards.”
She also emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration between Indian and foreign universities to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
Conclusion: The Human at the Centre of Technology
In her closing remarks, Smt. Jaiswal offered a balanced view — one that recognises AI as a tool of empowerment, but not a replacement for human intellect. “AI is transforming education, but it must remain a tool — not a substitute. Human creativity, empathy, and ethical judgment are irreplaceable,” she concluded.
She urged universities to lead this transformation responsibly by fostering critical thinking, innovation, and lifelong learning among students. “India’s youth deserve an education system that not only teaches them how to work with AI but also how to think beyond it,” she said.
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