G20 Summit: Artificial Intelligence offers great potential in field of learning, skilling, education, says PM Modi at G20 Education Ministers' meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the G20 Education Ministers' Meet held in Pune via video message, highlighted the significant role that G20 countries, with their respective strengths, can play in promoting research and innovation, particularly in the Global South. He emphasized the need for the dignitaries to forge a path for increased research collaborations. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of adaptability and innovative utilization of new e-learning methods to ensure the delivery of quality education with improved governance.

PM Modi acknowledged the equalizing power of digital technology, which fosters inclusivity, as stated in the press release by PIB. He further emphasized the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence in the domains of learning, skilling, and education. Additionally, he stressed the G20's responsibility in striking the right balance between the opportunities and challenges posed by technology.

During the meeting, PM Modi shed light on various initiatives undertaken by the government, such as Swayam, an online platform hosting courses from class 9 to the postgraduate level, enabling remote learning with a focus on accessibility, equity, and quality. He also mentioned the Diksha Portal, which aims to provide school education through distance learning. The Prime Minister noted that the portal supports learning in 29 Indian and 7 foreign languages, with over 137 million course completions recorded thus far.

PM Modi highlighted the significance of foundational literacy as a strong foundation for the youth, stating that India combines it with technology. He drew attention to the Nipun Bharat initiative and mentioned that 'Foundational Literacy and Numeracy' has been identified as a priority by the G20 as well. He further stressed the need to work on this priority in a time-bound manner, setting a goal of 2030, as stated in the press release.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister informed the attendees that the government is undertaking skill mapping, with the education, skill, and labor ministries working in tandem on this initiative. He suggested that G20 countries should undertake global skill mapping to identify and address gaps at an international level.