Karnataka directs officials to explore AI training from Class 6 in government schools

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday directed officials to explore introducing AI training in government schools from Class 6, with support from the Information Technology department and private partners. He said AI training has already started for Class 9 students in government schools, and officials were asked to work toward extending it to students from Class 6. Google expressed interest in providing AI training in schools, and officials were asked to examine the company's initiatives in Telangana. Shivakumar also directed officials to identify land for establishing an AI university in the state.

The direction brings AI training into the discussion of extending government school curricula to students as young as Class 6 and introduces private company participation, which could change who receives AI education and how it is supplied in the state. For education product providers, government school channels and private partnerships may create new adoption paths; for teachers and schools, an expansion would bring changes in curriculum arrangements and staffing needs. At this stage it is only a direction for officials to study, with no confirmed timeline, curriculum content or specific form of Google cooperation. If the expansion is implemented, Class 6 students in Karnataka government schools may gain access to AI training, extending coverage downward from Class 9. Private partners such as Google may participate in AI training in government schools, changing the cooperation model for AI education supply in the state.