AI to start as a subject in grade 8: Minister

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

 Education Minister, Susil Premajayantha, has decided to commence teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject in grade eight.  He said the decision was taken in line with the programme to make information technology a core subject for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination.  Earlier, it was decided to start teaching AI as a subject in grade 10. Later, following the suggestions of an expert committee, including university professors, it was decided to commence the teaching in grade eight.   The minister said that without this kind of transformative change, just by conducting extra classes, it is not possible to produce a human being suitable for the 21st century.