THE INDIAN Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) has decided to make Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (AI-DS) a required course for undergraduate students — both BTech and BS — beginning this academic year.

"Previously, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology were required courses for all students." AI-DS has recently been added to our curriculum. "Whether they use it or not, everyone will get a taste of it by being equipped with the knowledge to use it," said Professor Deepankar Choudhury, head of the civil engineering department and chair of a panel formed to review the BTech curriculum revision.

"With the exception of the design course, which is in a completely different field, the common course (AI-DS) applies to all Bachelor of Science (BS) courses." We have bachelor's degrees in economics, chemistry, and mathematics. "Of course, they do a lot of data analysis," said Dean of Academics Professor Avinash Mahajan.

While AI-DS will be introduced as a common course with required credit in the first semester of the second year, interested students will be able to take more advanced courses in the field later.

“We already have a centre for machine learning and data science where higher level specialised post-graduate and PhD programmes are offered in AI and DS. Now, we are introducing it at lower levels because of the sheer need felt across disciplines, as this is the way forward,” said Mahajan.