Telangana Board Decides Against Making AI a Separate Subject in Physics Stream
The Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) has announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be introduced as a separate subject in the Physics stream for now. The decision follows ongoing discussions about how best to include AI in the curriculum.
A senior official from TGBIE explained that the idea of introducing AI is still in the early stages. The board is currently exploring the possibility of including AI as a chapter in Physics, rather than making it a standalone subject. “Experts are reviewing the matter, and no final decision has been made yet,” the official stated.
To reduce the burden of the syllabus on students, the board is considering changes similar to those implemented by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Prof. Ramana, a Physics professor and member of the Expert Committee, shared that a highly technical topic on elections and communication might be removed from the syllabus. In its place, a basic topic on AI is being proposed to give students foundational knowledge about the field, given its increasing importance.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) also plays a role in shaping these decisions. It allows students to take the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) Exam after their undergraduate studies to pursue research in various fields, including AI. Since AI overlaps with subjects like social sciences, physical sciences, life sciences, and languages, aligning the 10+2 curriculum with undergraduate courses is essential. This alignment ensures students are not at a disadvantage compared to their CBSE peers.
AI’s growing demand in industries has also been a significant factor. Major global companies are hiring experts from diverse fields such as language linguistics and psychology to join their AI teams. This highlights the interdisciplinary nature of AI and its relevance across various domains.
When asked why AI foundations are currently being limited to Physics students, Prof. Ramana admitted that the idea of extending AI to students in other streams had not been discussed. However, he assured that the proposal to introduce AI as a general topic for the benefit of all student streams will be brought before the board for consideration in the future.
