AI and Education: AIU’s Dr Pankaj Mittal Emphasizes on Need for Universities to Transform and Adapt

New Delhi (India), May 4, 2023: Dr Pankaj Mittal, the distinguished Secretary-General of the esteemed Association of Indian Universities (AIU), delivered a captivating keynote address at a prestigious conference hosted by the renowned Bharat Institution and Business World.

In her thought-provoking speech, Dr Mittal shed light on the crucial need for transformation in the education sector, particularly in the aftermath of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The erudite speaker emphasised the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and the pivotal role it can play in shaping the future of higher learning.

Dr Mittal commenced her inspiring speech by sharing a powerful anecdote about the legendary scientist Albert Einstein. “Just as Einstein’s students were given the same question paper but with different answers, education must evolve with the changing times to keep pace with the ever-evolving job market,” remarked the insightful speaker.

The erudite speaker astutely observed that with the advent of AI, jobs that exist today may cease to exist in the future, thus emphasizing the necessity for universities to transform and adapt to the shifting dynamics of the job market. Dr. Mittal accentuated the need for rapid curriculum changes and updated teaching methodologies.

She expounded on the innovative flipped classroom model, extensively used in the Western world, which encourages students to engage in pre-class readings, watch videos, or listen to audio and actively participate in discussions, problem-solving, and reasoning in the classroom.

The prestigious AIU has constituted a dedicated committee, “Impact of AI on Higher Education,” to analyze and assess the far-reaching implications of AI on teaching, learning, governance, and assessment in universities. Dr. Mittal disclosed that the committee’s report is slated for release shortly, providing invaluable insights into how universities can prepare themselves to adapt to the changing landscape of education.

Dr Mittal underscored the significance of AI as an ally rather than a competitor in education. She highlighted the imperative need to train both students and teachers to use AI tools efficiently. The erudite speaker also underscored the need to revamp the way universities assess and evaluate their students and stressed the importance of continuous evaluation throughout the semester, rather than relying solely on a single end-of-semester examination.

Finally, she expounded on the importance of forging symbiotic industry partnerships in education. The AIU has entered into a strategic collaboration with the prestigious Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), aptly named “CII-100,” aimed at promoting industry-academia partnerships and enhancing employability.

Dr Mittal concluded her speech on a compelling note, emphasizing the rapidly changing landscape of education and urging universities to stay ahead of the curve to prepare students for the job market of the future.