Karnataka plans AI training in government schools from Class 6

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday directed officials to explore extending Artificial Intelligence (AI) training in government schools to students from Class 6, as the state looks to expand technology-focused education with support from the IT department and private partners.

AI training has already been introduced for Class 9 students in government schools, and Shivakumar asked officials to examine ways to extend the programme to younger students, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.

Google has expressed interest in providing AI training in schools, and officials were asked to study the company's initiatives in Telangana while working out the programme for Karnataka.

Shivakumar issued the directions during a review meeting on the progress of the government's 100-day programmes, recruitments and priority schemes.

He also directed officials to identify land for setting up an AI university in the state.

The Chief Minister also reviewed other initiatives of the School Education Department, including the development of 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools (KPS).

He directed officials to complete preparations for laying the foundation stones for the schools by November 14. The government has simplified the implementation process by authorising deputy commissioners to approve detailed project reports and tenders.

The state also plans to develop 100 KPS schools using corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, with companies having already expressed interest in developing 60 schools, the statement said.

Shivakumar directed officials to organise visits for Class 9 and 11 students from 941 urban schools to progressive farmers' fields. The students are to be provided overnight accommodation in villages, including community halls and hostels, and private schools will also be required to implement the programme.

The exercise is to be completed by December.

The School Education Department is also taking steps to recruit 956 teachers on an outsourcing basis, according to the CMO.

During the review of the Agriculture Department, Shivakumar said 25 lakh SMS messages had been sent to farmers under the CM Raitha Chaitanya Agritech Mission. He directed officials to supplement these with simple video messages explaining the scheme.

A chatbot is being integrated into the initiative, while preparations are under way to invite tenders for drone- and satellite-based crop estimation and digital crop surveys.

Under the CM Negilu Yogi scheme for farm mechanisation, the JFarm app has been developed, with about 2.5 lakh people registered to provide services through the platform. Officials were directed to launch the service from November 1.

The government has also set a target of training 2,000 farmers to become agricultural and horticultural exporters by March 2027, including guidance on certification and other requirements.

Officials were asked to promote group farming, scientific processing and storage, as well as floriculture, and identify at least five acres of land for marketing purposes.

Reviewing the Animal Husbandry Department, Shivakumar directed officials to develop four protein parks in Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Haveri and Koppal under the Protein Mission.

The government also plans to increase egg production. A proposal to provide a 50 per cent subsidy for installing solar power systems to address electricity-related issues will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the statement said.