IIT Mandi’s nationwide AI minor puts design thinking at the centre of future-ready education

In a significant move towards interdisciplinary education, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has launched a nationwide AI minor degree programme in collaboration with National Skill Development Corporation and Imarticus Learning, with a strong emphasis on design-oriented and human-centric technology learning.

The 24-credit programme, integrated into existing undergraduate degrees, is designed not only to teach artificial intelligence tools but also to encourage students to think creatively about how technology can solve real-world problems through innovation, interface design and user-focused systems.

Structured across seven semesters, the AI minor blends technical foundations with applied learning areas such as generative AI, computer vision, natural language processing, data visualisation and responsible AI design. The curriculum aims to help students understand how intelligent systems are conceptualised, designed and deployed across industries.

Education experts note that the programme reflects a growing shift in higher education, where AI is increasingly intersecting with design, communication and user experience. Rather than limiting AI education to coding and algorithms, the IIT Mandi initiative introduces students to problem-solving frameworks that combine technology with creativity and usability.

The programme also incorporates project-based learning, allowing students to build practical solutions and interactive systems using tools such as Python, SQL and large language models. Faculty from IIT Mandi will conduct online sessions and campus immersion modules to provide hands-on exposure and interdisciplinary mentorship.

Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and UGC guidelines, the structure offers flexible exit pathways, including certificates, diplomas and full degree completion, encouraging accessible and modular learning.

Institutions such as IIMT Group of Colleges and Joy University have already joined the initiative, signalling rising institutional interest in combining technology education with innovation-driven design thinking.

Experts believe the programme could help create a new generation of AI-literate graduates capable of designing ethical, intuitive and socially relevant digital systems across industries including healthcare, education, media, retail and smart infrastructure.

As AI increasingly shapes everyday experiences, the initiative highlights how future education models may move beyond traditional engineering silos to integrate technology, creativity and design into a unified learning ecosystem.