Punjab on Wednesday scripted a new chapter in school education by becoming the first state in India to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a mainstream subject from Class 1 to 12. The landmark initiative, unveiled on Wednesday by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, seeks to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven future while promoting innovation, ethical AI practices and digital responsibility.

The ambitious programme, titled 'Sarbat.AI', will be implemented in phases by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and is being described by the state government as one of India's largest statewide AI education missions, officials said. The project was launched in the presence of Delhi’s former Education Minister Manish Sisodia, education experts, technology partners and senior officials from the School Education Department.

Punjab eyes leadership in the AI era

Speaking at the launch, Bains said the initiative marked the beginning of a transformative phase in the state's education system.

"Today marks the beginning of a new era in Punjab's education system. Punjab has become the first state in India to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream subject from Class 1 to 12. We are moving from leading the Green Revolution to leading the Artificial Intelligence Revolution," he said.

The minister emphasised that the programme has been designed to ensure students acquire skills that are relevant to the future economy while nurturing innovation, entrepreneurship and responsible digital citizenship.

He said the government wants every child in Punjab to be equipped not only to secure tomorrow's jobs but also to become innovators and creators capable of shaping the future of technology.

Curriculum based on global best practices

According to Bains, the AI curriculum has been developed after studying successful international education models from Singapore, Finland, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. It has also been aligned with UNESCO's Ethical AI Framework to ensure students learn the responsible, safe and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence while meeting internationally recognised standards.

The phased implementation will begin with students of Classes 8 to 12, where AI will be integrated into the existing Computer Science curriculum in government schools as well as affiliated private institutions.

Students will receive instruction through a combination of live online classes, recorded lectures, project-based learning, continuous assessments and a dedicated Learning Management System. In the second phase, the programme will be extended to Classes 1 to 7 with age-appropriate AI learning modules tailored for younger students.

Teacher training and industry collaboration

The initiative builds upon the Punjab School Education Board's earlier AI Pilot Programme conducted in collaboration with FA-AI, which concluded with a statewide AI Hackathon showcasing innovative student projects. Bains said the pilot highlighted the immense talent among Punjab's students, with several of the projects displayed during the launch event.

The technological implementation of the programme will be led by Neeev AI, while strategic collaborations with Google, Intel, Canva and FA-AI will support AI literacy, teacher capacity building, innovation and workforce preparedness.

The minister said the initiative will eventually cover 25,172 schools and benefit nearly 31.5 lakh students across the state. During the first phase, 12,424 Computer Science teachers will spearhead implementation, while more than two lakh teachers from different subjects will gradually receive training to integrate AI into classroom teaching, learning and assessment.

A national benchmark set for AI education

Addressing the gathering, Manish Sisodia hailed the initiative as a milestone for Indian education.

"Punjab has scripted history with the launch of this project and has established itself as a national benchmark for AI education. This initiative reaffirms the state's commitment to preparing students not merely to use Artificial Intelligence but to innovate with it, create with it and lead in the technology-driven future," he said.

Sisodia also voiced concern over recent examination paper leak controversies and ongoing protests in the national capital, stressing the need to strengthen examination integrity through technology-driven reforms and more robust educational systems.

With the launch of 'Sarbat.AI', Punjab has positioned itself at the forefront of AI education in India, laying the foundation for a future-ready generation through a globally aligned, ethically grounded and technology-enabled learning ecosystem.