In times when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the dynamics of various industries, higher education is expected to align accordingly. A first-of-its-kind ‘Universal AI University’ in Karjat, on the outskirts of Mumbai, is set to unleash a new trend by bringing AI interface in courses such as commerce, business analytics, economics, and even psychology. The Universal AI University awaits a final nod from the Maharashtra government. Aimed at preparing the next generation of professionals in various sectors to work alongside AI by making use of it to strengthen their abilities; all courses offered at this university will include a foundational level of AI training. After the foundational learning of AI, students will also identify the impact of AI on their respective industries and ways of effective application of AI in industries they wish to join. Prof Tarun Anand, founder and chancellor of the Universal AI University, said: “Nobody today wants to sit in a classroom to learn. Every content is now available online with just a click. Educational institutions in today’s time should focus on preparing their students for new-age challenges. For example, business analytics will have a completely new picture in the industry with AI-driven systems. Teaching the subject sans the possible AI applications in that field will no longer serve youngsters.” The university has set up labs of quantum computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), among others, to help students understand how AI is likely to impact their sector in the future. “After the basic training, students will be given problem statements from their respective fields to solve with the help of AI to encourage a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to problem-solving. This will be alongside the internships with existing industries to understand real-time challenges,” said Anand, adding that the university believes in “students today are going to be problem solvers for tomorrow.” The private university which will be functional from August, will have its own entrance examination. Considering the novel approach of teaching and course structure, this university will have an AI element in the admission system, too, wherein instead of a typical entrance test, there will be AI-driven treasure hunts designed to gauge the aptitude of students before shortlisting them for the courses.
