HYDERABAD: Around 80,000 students studying in 205 schools run by the Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS) will undergo structured training in artificial intelligence (AI), digital safety and cyber awareness from August 15.
The initiative, launched by the state government in collaboration with MASK NextGen Inc. and Doxa Consulting Private Limited (DCPL), aims to equip students with AI literacy, responsible technology use and digital citizenship skills through a gamified learning platform. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement the programme was signed on Friday.
The programme, which will be offered at no cost to the government under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, will initially run for three years.
Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin said AI was no longer a technology of the future but a present-day necessity.
“AI has become a present-day necessity rather than a future technology. The programme will ensure that students from economically disadvantaged minority communities are not left behind in the technology revolution and are prepared for emerging employment opportunities,” he said.
MASK CEO Avni Trivedi said the programme would focus on AI literacy as well as digital resilience, online safety and responsible use of technology.
“Children need to be taught how to navigate digital risks just as they are taught physical safety,” she said.
The curriculum comprises 24 interactive modules and three assessments covering AI fundamentals, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, English communication, leadership, gender sensitivity and inclusion. Students will attend one session every week throughout the academic year.
Trivedi said the curriculum would be updated regularly to keep pace with developments in AI and emerging technologies.
Joseph Christopher, Founder and CEO of Doxa Consulting Pvt Ltd, said the initiative would help prepare students for future opportunities.
“By enabling access to future-focused AI learning and digital safety education, we are committed to supporting Telangana’s vision of creating a skilled, inclusive and globally competitive workforce,” he said.