IIT-Delhi launches artificial intelligence DIY kit for school students

The BUDDHI kit is the brainchild of Prof Manan Suri, of IIT Delhi, who was recognised by MIT, USA as one of the world’s top 35 innovators under the age of 35. The kit comprises specialised proprietary hardware-software designed and developed completely in India. The IIT-Delhi had recently decided to promote its faculty along with students to build start-ups.

It took Suri two years to build this innovation, which he believes can bridge the skill gap between AI theory and practical impact. “Like any evolving technology, there exists a gap between the promise, hype, capability and practical reality of AI. What widens this gap is the lack of resources to easily develop an intuitive insight on topics such as AI at an early stage. The motivation behind BUDDHI is to help young school students learn the practical aspects of a complex topic like AI in a friendly and simple manner,” he said.

The institute states that the toolkit is compatible with CBSE’s AI curriculum. The CBSE had introduced an AI-inspired module of 12 hours for class 8 students. A total of 42 electives including AI, yoga, early childhood education were introduced.