FM launches project to develop AI, STEM & robotics labs in Karnataka schools

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday launched a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project to develop five Artificial Intelligence, STEM, and robotics labs in government schools in Karnataka.

The Minister launched Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS) -- ‘VijAIpatha’, a CSR-led national initiative to democratise access to Artificial Intelligence, STEM, and robotics education in government schools of Hosapete Taluka in Hampi, Karnataka.

“Under the pilot, five world-class AI, STEM, and robotics labs are being established in government schools,” Nirmala Sitharaman’s Office shared in a post on the social media platform X. “Each lab will be equipped with high-performance computers, AI-ready software, robotics kits, IoT devices, sensors, and secure broadband connectivity,” the post added.

The VijAIpatha programme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Digital India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission of Viksit Bharat 2047. It integrates CBSE’s AI curriculum and also aims to strengthen technology-enabled learning in public education.

Focused on rural and semi-urban India, the initiative introduces future technologies at the school level, building early digital fluency, computational thinking, and innovation capacity among students.