Kolkata at the Centre of Bengal’s School AI Push as Emerging Tech Course Targets 30,000 Students

As artificial intelligence is rapidly changing different industries worldwide, a new education project is putting Kolkata and nearby areas at the center of West Bengal's technological learning movement.

The basic course on Artificial Intelligence will cover over 30,000 students in 129 schools throughout the state, with many schools in Kolkata and nearby districts as the main beneficiaries.

Computer Shiksha, a non-profit organization based in Gurgaon which has been actively involved in spreading digital literacy in schools since 2012, is releasing the programme. The project is meant to bring students, especially the ones from financially less fortunate families, to understand basics of artificial intelligence and latest digital technologies.

Founder Rakesh Suri mentioned that the course will start next month and will rely on self-learning digital modules that have been specifically designed to make AI concepts easy for school students. Since we are living in the age of AI, we thought it would be best to include it in our computer literacy programme, Suri remarked. He also mentioned that the organisation has developed 12 video lessons, each of around 35 minutes, which cover the basics of artificial intelligence.

Kolkata and Neighbouring Districts Lead Participation

Kolkata and districts around it are not only leading but outpacing others in terms of schools participating in the programme.

The organisation's statistics have revealed that North 24 Parganas tops the list with 32 schools, Howrah is next with 17, and Kolkata ranks third with 16 schools.

According to education experts, it is only natural that the metro area of Kolkata is dominating the map since it is here where the need for a hand-in-hand connection between the conventional schooling and the emerging technology ecosystems is growing. Besides, these ecosystems are being developed mainly around the urban centres of eastern India.

Bridging the Digital Divide Through Technology

The course will be distributed through pen drives containing the video modules, enabling schools with limited internet access to still conduct digital learning sessions. The NGO has earlier introduced “lab and magic box” computer solutions to help schools lacking infrastructure adopt digital education tools.

Beyond West Bengal, Computer Shiksha has supported over 5,660 schools across India, certifying nearly 1.9 lakh students and training more than 6,700 teachers in basic computer education.

Expanding the AI Learning Ecosystem

The organisation now plans to expand the reach of its free AI courseware by collaborating with NGOs, foundations, industrial training institutes, and teacher training centres. The learning content can be integrated into mobile apps, smart boards, computer labs, and other digital platforms.

Suri said the broader mission is to ensure that students graduating from Indian schools are not left behind in the technology revolution.

“Our goal is to reach millions of students who may otherwise leave school without learning even basic computing skills,” he said.

For Kolkata’s students, the initiative could mark an early step into the world of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, potentially shaping a new generation of tech-ready learners in eastern India.