Delhi private schools double down on excessive AI use

Is AI a boon or a bane? As the debate intensifies, several private schools in Delhi are doubling down on the misuse of AI and deploying software to detect if students are taking the help of tools to do assignments.

The fear is that excessive use of Artificial Intelligence will stunt creativity and initiative, according to several educators.

Sudha Acharya, the principal of ITL International School in Dwarka, says, “We use various software to detect if students have used AI to finish their assignments.” She fears that excessive use of Artificial Intelligence tools will stunt students’ creativity. “If any student is found using AI to complete internal assessments, they receive zero marks.” Artificial Intelligence can either be a boon or a bane, depending on how it is used, according to the educators PTI spoke to.

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It can be highly beneficial if students use it to develop new skills but over-reliance can become a disadvantage, they say.

Mallika Preman, the principal of Tagore International School in Greater Kailash, believes that with technological advancements, students must adapt to modern learning methods. However, she discourages complete reliance on tools such as AI, instead guiding her students on how to leverage them to improve creativity.

Preman says Artificial Intelligence can be integrated into learning without hampering students’ originality.

“As technology advances, students must adapt to modern learning methods. We don’t encourage complete reliance on AI but guide students on how to use these tools to improve their understanding of different formats and skills,” she says.

The Sovereign School in Rohini is also taking action against students using AI to complete their assignments.

According to school chairman RN Jindal, “Teachers have been instructed to identify AI-generated work and, if necessary, ask students to redo their work in school.” “We do not recommend the use of AI tools for students. However, if future curricula changes necessitate their inclusion, we may reconsider our stance,” he adds.

Delhi Private Teachers’ Association chairperson MS Rawat laid stress on the importance of AI literacy for both students and educators.

“As the current generation moves towards new technologies, they must understand both the uses and consequences of AI,” according to Rawat.

“Even teachers use AI tools to brainstorm creative ideas for cultural festivals, games and other school programmes,” he adds.

Last year, the Union Cabinet approved the IndiaAI Mission, with an outlay of Rs 10,372 crore for five years. The approved corpus will be used to create a large computing infrastructure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took part in the AI Action Summit in Paris, describing it as a commendable effort to bring together world leaders, policy makers, thinkers, innovators and youngsters to have meaningful conversations around AI.

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Reposting Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai’s post on their meeting in Paris, the prime minister said on Wednesday, “India is making remarkable strides in AI, leveraging it for public good. We urge the world to come and invest in our nation and bet on our Yuva Shakti.”