New Delhi has officially embarked on a groundbreaking journey to empower its youth with artificial intelligence, launching a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to cultivate a generation of innovators and problem-solvers. On Sunday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 'Delhi AI Grind' at Central Park in Connaught Place, heralding it as India's pioneering city-centric AI and innovation movement.
A Transformative Vision for Delhi's Youth
The ambitious program has set its sights on impacting over 5 lakh learners across a vast network of more than 1,000 schools, colleges, industrial training institutes, and universities. Its core mission is to arm young minds with foundational AI competencies and build future-ready technological capabilities. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the transformative nature of the project, stating that it aligns with India's rising global stature in AI and technology.
"With technology becoming increasingly accessible, Delhi AI Grind will convert traditional classrooms into innovation-oriented labs," Gupta said. "Here, students will develop AI-based projects specifically aimed at solving real-life problems faced by our city." The event was graced by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station, whom Gupta hailed as an inspiration for the younger generation.
Blueprint for an 'AI Decade'
Education Minister Ashish Sood elaborated on the initiative's vision, which is intricately designed around India's national push for an inclusive AI ecosystem, often termed the 'AI Decade'. The program will train young people in structured innovation, problem-solving, and the responsible use of technology. "Through design thinking, prototyping, sector-based challenges, and real-life applications, Delhi's educational institutions will be transformed into active innovation labs," Sood explained.
Students will be tasked with identifying civic and industry challenges, collaborating directly with government and industry partners to devise practical, deployable solutions. Addressing the youth at the launch, Group Captain Shukla urged them to take action. "You represent the future," he said. "It is your responsibility to work towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047."
From Awareness to Implementation: A Four-Month Roadmap
The 'Delhi AI Grind' is structured as a continuous annual movement, not a one-off competition. Over the next four months, the program will execute a detailed plan:
- Train 5,000 teachers as certified AI mentors.
- Support the development of 1,000 student-led prototypes.
- Select 50 AI youth ambassadors.
- Publish a national innovation compendium featuring ideas from Delhi's youth.
Open to students aged 10 to 25 years, participants will tackle challenges across 10 key sectors. Officials stated that Delhi is being developed as the country's national laboratory for AI-driven education reforms, with frameworks intended for replication in other states.
Education Minister Sood underscored a critical philosophical shift: "Our children must learn not just to use AI, but to guide it. They should not remain mere consumers but become creators who can identify biases, correct them, and use technology to improve lives." The launch event featured the release of a program brochure, student performances, paper prototype showcases, an official teaser, and an 'Innovation Bus on Wheels' that will take the initiative to every corner of the capital.
