Lok Sabha Question No. 446 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-05
Subject: Artificial Intelligence and Remote Learning Platform under National Education Policy 2020
Ministry: Education
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 446 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2024

## Artificial Intelligence and Remote Learning Platform under National Education Policy 2020

## 446. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  recognises  the  transformative  potential  of Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  and  remote  learning  platforms  in  enriching  academic  excellence  and  skill development of students; (b) whether the NEP 2020 acknowledges the role of research and innovation in driving sustainable growth; and (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)

(a)  to  (c):  The  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  recognizes  the  transformative  potential  of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and remote learning platforms as critical components in achieving key goals of the NEP such as enhancing academic excellence and skill development across all segments of the students. By embracing AI and remote learning, NEP 2020 aims to equip students with 21st-century skills, fostering innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities essential for their academic and professional success in a rapidly evolving world.

The NEP 2020 has highlighted Artificial Intelligence and remote platforms as important technological tools:

- To  create  a  skilled  workforce,  particularly  involving  mathematics,  computer  science,  and  data science,  in  conjunction  with  multidisciplinary  abilities  across  the  sciences,  social  sciences,  and humanities, in order to match the future demands of the economy.
- For curricular and pedagogical initiatives at relevant stages, to develop the various important skills in students at all levels.
- For India's future and India's leadership role in the numerous upcoming fields and professions that will involve mathematics and computational thinking
- For  creating  a  robust  ecosystem  of  research  in  order  to  again  become  a  leading  knowledge society in the coming years.
- To take the lead in preparing professionals in cutting-edge areas that are fast gaining prominence.
- For student development, and other forms of educational software and hardware that will not just change what students learn in the classroom but how they learn
- To reach students in remote areas, address learning needs to Divyang, and teacher training by integrating mutli-modal tools such as SWAYAM/DIKSHA/SWAYAM PRABHA
- To provide equal access to quality content to all learners in their regional languages

Further,  NEP  2020  recognizes  the  critical  role  of  research  and  innovation  for  driving  sustainable growth  in  the  education  sector.  NEP  2020  adopts  and  aligns  itself  with  critical  targets  and  goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The  vision  of  the  policy  is  to  develop  the  youth  as  a  Global  citizen  that  support  responsible commitment  to  human  rights,  sustainable  development  and  living.  The  realm  of  research  and innovation in NEP addresses key challenges associated with climate change, population dynamics and management, biotechnology etc. there by driving sustainable growth.

To build on these various elements in a synergistic manner, NEP envisions the establishment of a National  Research  Foundation  (NRF)  with  an  overarching  goal  to  enable  a  culture  of  research  to permeate  in  education  ecosystem.  An  Anusandhan  National  Research  Foundation  Act  has  been passed and notified by Government of India on 14 th  August 2023 towards setting up such a body.

********