The Future and Now Starts with AI

DIMAPUR — Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is no longer science fiction – it’s a growing part of our daily lives. From voice assistants on our phones to the recommendation engine on YouTube, AI is working behind the scenes. But what exactly is AI, and how can students in Nagaland start learning about it?

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence refers to machines or software that can perform tasks which typically require human intelligence. In simple terms, AI enables computers to think or learn in a human-like way. Rather than being explicitly programmed for every single task, an AI system can improve over time by learning from data.

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AI isn’t a single technology but a broad area of computer science. It includes subfields like machine learning (where algorithms learn from data), natural language processing (which allows computers to understand and generate human language), and computer vision (enabling machines to interpret visual information).

Why should you learn about AI?

You might be wondering, why should a student care about AI? The reason is that AI is shaping the future of nearly every industry. Understanding AI will be as important as basic computer skills in the coming years. Learning about AI can open up exciting opportunities – both in terms of career prospects and the ability to solve real-world problems.

One big motivation to study AI is the booming demand for AI skills. Companies in India and worldwide are seeking people who know AI. In fact, jobs in AI and machine learning have seen a sharp rise in India. In other words, by the time today’s students graduate, there will be hundreds of thousands of new jobs for people with AI and data science skills. These jobs aren’t just in tech companies – AI is needed in banking, healthcare, education, agriculture, government and more. Knowing AI basics will make you part of this big technological wave rather than watching from the sidelines.

AI education is on the rise

AI is already entering classrooms across India. The Indian government and educational boards have recognised the importance of teaching AI early. In fact, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced AI as an optional subject in schools.

Back in 2019, only a handful of schools offered an AI course to students. But today, according to Education Ministry data, over 4,500 CBSE schools are offering AI classes in 9th grade as of 2024-25 (Ministry of Education data, 2025). That’s a massive jump. Not only schools, but universities and technical institutes are also ramping up AI-focused education.

How can students start learning AI?

By now, you might be curious about how to begin your own journey in AI. The great news is that students can start learning the basics of AI right now, whether you’re in school or college. Here are some steps and tips to get started:

•             Build a strong foundation in Mathematics and Coding: AI is built on concepts from mathematics and computer science. Focus on subjects like Mathematics (especially algebra, statistics, and probability) and Computer Science in your current studies – they will form the backbone for understanding AI. Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a genius, but comfort with numbers and logic is important. Simultaneously, start learning a programming language. Python is highly recommended for beginners in AI due to its simple syntax and the vast number of AI libraries available in Python.

•             Leverage online resources and courses: You don’t have to wait for formal classes to learn AI – a lot of learning can happen online at your own pace. There are excellent free courses available on the internet today. For example, the Indian government’s SWAYAM platform hosts courses from top professors – IIT Madras recently launched five new free online courses in AI that anyone can enrol in (SWAYAM – IIT Madras AI courses). These cover basic AI concepts and don’t require advanced prerequisites, making them suitable for students and beginners. Additionally, international platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer beginner-friendly AI and machine learning courses (some are free or have financial aid).

•             Practice with projects and stay curious: AI is a practical field – the more you do, the more you learn. Start with small projects for fun. For example, you could train a simple AI model to guess numbers or create a chatbot that answers questions (there are templates and guides available for such mini-projects). If you have access to a computer, experiment with beginner-friendly tools. One popular approach is using platforms like Google Colab (which lets you run Python code in a web browser for free) to try out code from tutorials. Join hackathons or coding competitions if you can – they often have beginner categories, and teamwork can teach you a lot.

Exploring AI learning resources

As you begin your journey on learning AI, it’s helpful to know some resources and initiatives designed for students:

•             AI For All: ‘AI For All’ is a self-learning online programme designed to raise public awareness about artificial intelligence. It aims to demystify AI for people from all walks of life – a student, a stay-at-home parent, a professional in any field, a senior citizen – basically, anyone interested in getting acquainted with it and wanting to build a ‘Digital First Mindset'. The programme is divided into two sections: AI Aware and AI Appreciate. Both sections can be completed in about four hours.

Each section is based on AI-related concepts explained through engaging activities and quizzes. Passing this quiz grants the user a badge that they can share on their social media accounts. The users can take this quiz as many times as they want. After they complete these quizzes, they become bearers of AI Aware and AI Appreciate badges.

Post the completion of both sections, the users can take it forward by making a self-learning plan for themselves. They can choose the domain they are interested in and begin their self-paced AI learning journey.

The AI For All programme is available in 11 Indian languages, and the entire content is compatible with various talkback applications to make it completely accessible for the visually impaired.

•             Online Communities: There are student communities online (and offline) where people share AI projects and help each other. Websites like Kaggle host beginner-friendly machine learning competitions and have forums where you can ask questions. Even on social media, you’ll find groups or channels dedicated to coding and AI learning where many Indian students participate. Being part of such communities can motivate you and provide help when you’re stuck on something.

•             Resources from tech companies: Big tech companies offer free educational content. For example, Google’s Grow with Google programme and Google Cloud Skills Boost platform provide free courses and credits for students to learn AI and cloud computing (Google AI Learning Path). They offer interactive labs where you can practice AI skills with no charge. Likewise, Microsoft’s AI Classroom series and IBM’s SkillsBuild for Students provide modules on AI, sometimes with live online classes and certificates. These are worth exploring.

Future prospects and opportunities

Studying AI can lead to some amazing career paths in the near future. If you develop expertise in AI, you could become a software engineer or developer building smart applications or a data scientist analysing data to help companies make decisions.

There is a growing need for machine learning engineers who create and optimise AI models and AI researchers who push the boundaries of what AI can do. New job titles are emerging too. In India, AI professionals are in high demand in sectors like finance (for algorithmic trading and fraud detection), healthcare (for diagnostic AI tools and drug discovery), education (for smart tutoring systems), and e-commerce (for recommendation engines and customer service chatbots). These jobs are not only intellectually rewarding but also well-paying – AI and data science roles are among the top-paying jobs in the tech sector.

What’s more, you don’t necessarily have to wait until you’re a grown-up with a degree to get involved. There are opportunities for young innovators in AI. For instance, student hackathons often have AI problem statements where winners get internships or scholarships.

Organisations like NITI Aayog have held contests (like AI-based hackathons) for college students to solve social problems. By engaging in such activities, you can network with mentors and even get noticed by companies early. Some enterprising students even start their own small projects or startups – imagine creating an AI-based app that translates Nagamese or any local dialect into English, helping preserve language while making it accessible; ideas like these can be turned into reality with the AI skills you acquire.

Embrace the AI journey

AI is the future – and the future is already here. It might seem complex at first, but remember that every expert was once a beginner. With curiosity and consistent learning, AI can go from a buzzword to a familiar toolkit in your hands. The academic world is rapidly opening up to AI, with support from schools, universities, and online platforms. Whether you’re a Class 7 student fascinated by robots, a Class 12 student deciding your career path, or a college student looking to upskill, there is a place for you in the AI revolution.

The state of Nagaland is on the cusp of the digital transformation. By studying AI, you ensure that our region has a stake in the technologies that shape tomorrow.