In a major push to prepare its youth for the future, the Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled plans to introduce cutting-edge quantum technology courses across the state. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made the announcement on Tuesday, emphasising the critical need to equip students with next-generation skills in quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI).
Building a Future-Ready Knowledge Hub
Chief Minister Naidu stated that every student in Andhra Pradesh should have a fundamental understanding of quantum technology, as the state is being developed into a premier knowledge hub. He directed education officials to immediately begin creating awareness about this advanced field, specifically targeting students in Classes 7, 8, and 9. The plan includes setting up computer labs in schools and seeking support from the central government to facilitate this ambitious educational upgrade.
Strategic Collaboration with IIT Madras and Industry
The announcement followed a high-level meeting where representatives from IIT Madras presented a detailed four-phase action plan to the Chief Minister. This two-year initiative, scheduled to begin next year, aims to provide structured AI orientation to students through digital platforms in Telugu, English, and Hindi. Senior officials from the state education department, along with representatives from IIT Tirupati and technology giant IBM, also participated in the discussions, highlighting a collaborative approach between academia, government, and industry.
Concrete Goals and a Summit for Innovation
The government has set clear and time-bound objectives for this skilling mission. Officials have been instructed to provide quantum skill training to over 50,000 technology students and to finalise the curriculum design by January 2026. In a move to foster innovation, CM Naidu also announced a Students' Partnership Summit to be held by January 2026, which will serve as a platform for young minds to showcase their technological innovations and projects.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of fully utilising existing national resources like the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) platform to upgrade the skills of students and educators alike. This comprehensive strategy, starting from school-level awareness and culminating in advanced training and innovation showcases, is designed to ensure Andhra Pradesh's youth are at the forefront of the quantum and AI revolution, tapping into emerging global opportunities.
