In a pioneering move to democratise technology education, IIT Guwahati, in partnership with edtech platform Get Set Learn (GSL), has launched the Artificial Intelligence Quotient (AIQ) programme for school students from Classes 6 to 12. The initiative aims to take AI, robotics, and IoT learning beyond urban centres, empowering rural students with digital skills essential for the 21st-century workforce.

Part of Project Vidhya, IIT Guwahati’s larger effort to integrate digital literacy into mainstream schooling, AIQ was developed after months of consultation with educators and technology experts. The goal: to prepare students for a future where AI shapes daily life and work while ensuring that geography does not dictate opportunity.

“We often discuss AI in city conferences, but the real challenge is making it accessible to students in villages,” said Dr. Gaurav Trivedi, Associate Professor at IIT Guwahati. “This collaboration focuses on that gap. Early exposure and curiosity can change the story for rural learners.”

Hands-on learning, structured for school students

AIQ is one of the first structured AI learning programmes designed specifically for school-level learners in India. Following the A3EI framework – Absorb, Analyse, Apply, Evaluate, Innovate – students learn through interactive content, stories, and small projects rather than traditional lectures. No prior coding experience is required.

“Technology should not feel distant. It should be something every child can relate to, whether in a metro city or a small town,” said Ameet Zaveri, Co-founder of Get Set Learn.

More than 60% of the programme is project-based, with students tackling real-world challenges such as environmental monitoring, traffic systems, or local agricultural issues.

The course is structured across three progressive levels:

·        Level 1 (Grades 6–8): Basics of AI and simple logic-building

·        Level 2 (Grades 9–10): Robotics and generative AI tools

·        Level 3 (Grades 11–12): Machine learning, data ethics, and responsible AI

Students will participate in live workshops, mentorship sessions with IIT Guwahati faculty, and hands-on projects via GSL’s SOLVE IT platform, receiving feedback from experts.

Ethics and responsibility at the core

AIQ emphasizes not just technological literacy, but also social and ethical awareness. Modules cover data privacy, algorithmic bias, and responsible AI use, ensuring students understand the impact of technology on society from an early age.

“It’s not enough to teach children how to build machines. They must also understand what those machines can do to people,” said Dr. Trivedi.

Overcoming rural barriers

Acknowledging persistent digital divides, AIQ incorporates offline content, mobile-friendly modules, and easy-to-use project kits to ensure participation even in low-resource schools. IIT Guwahati and GSL plan to reach schools across at least 10 states in the first year, collaborating with state education departments and local NGOs.

“Rural areas remain the toughest frontier for digital learning. Our goal is not just to teach AI, but to build curiosity and confidence,” said Zaveri.

A step in India’s national push for AI

The AIQ programme aligns with India’s national education and technology goals, including AICTE’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of AI” and NEP 2020’s emphasis on early exposure to computational thinking. Students completing AIQ will receive a joint certificate from IIT Guwahati and GSL, equipping them with skills that will remain relevant through higher education and into the workforce.

“The future workforce will not be defined by geography. If a child in a rural school learns to use AI to solve local problems, that is real progress,” said Dr. Trivedi.

With AIQ, IIT Guwahati and Get Set Learn aim to create a scalable model for inclusive technology learning, ensuring that advanced digital education becomes a part of every student’s journey—not just a privilege for a few.