Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s plan to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in government schools from Class 6 is in line with the changing needs of the times, but AI should not be introduced as a substitute for the third language, the Deshiya Bhasha Hitarakshana Vedike (Forum for the Protection of Indigenous Languages) said.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had announced the ‘AI Akshara Abhiyana–Coding Gurukula’ initiative to introduce AI education from Class 6. AI training has already begun for Class 9 students, with plans to extend it to Class 6.
The forum said AI and language serve different educational purposes. While AI can help develop technical skills, language forms the foundation for thinking, questioning, reasoning, expression and creativity. Replacing language education with AI would therefore be inappropriate, it said.
Education expert Dr Niranjanaradhya V.P. has stressed the need to provide children with learning opportunities based on their interests, capabilities and choices. Technology, he has argued, should complement independent thinking rather than replace it.
The forum also cited UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework, saying AI education should adopt a human-centric approach and emphasise AI ethics rather than being limited to technical skills.
It said the study of a third language should continue in line with the multilingual approach of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. AI could instead be introduced as a standalone subject or integrated with other subjects, while also being used as a tool to support language learning.
“AI is not a substitute for a third language; rather, language is a companion to AI,” the forum said.
