Kolkata: IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology) Shibpur, a 169-year-old institution with a rich history, is making Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) a compulsory subject for all first-year students starting from the next academic session.

This means students across all engineering disciplines will have to take this course, not only those with computer science.

VMSR Murthy, Director IIEST said, ‘As per the NEP 2020, the institute’s Senate in principle agreed to the introduction of a mandatory artificial intelligence course for all first-year students across disciplines in the first semester. Since it is an emerging field and AI applications are growing in all domains, it was thought that irrespective of discipline,  students must be equipped with the basic knowledge of AI. We are in the process of finalising the course curriculum’.

Arindam Biswas, professor at IT department said, ‘The students will learn the basic concepts of AI and ML along with deep learning. They will get an understanding of the learning processes of AI, like supervised and unsupervised learning, and how to use AI in decision-making and problem-solving. This basic knowledge will help them in future applications of AI in specific engineering areas later.’

By making AI and ML courses mandatory, IIEST will make graduates skilled and equipped with the fundamental knowledge to become successful in an AI-driven world. This decision reflects the institute’s willingness to adapt and innovate to the evolving requirements of today’s industry.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/169-year-old-iiest-set-to-take-new-age-ai-leap/articleshow/118125402.cms