Punjab expands AI education push with statewide School Hackathon

The Punjab government has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hackathon as part of a structured initiative to equip government school students with future-ready technological skills, combining classroom training with practical innovation.

The programme, spearheaded by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) in collaboration with the First Academy of Artificial Intelligence and Skilleareum, covered 22 government schools and trained over 1,000 students along with participating teachers in its pilot phase.

Unlike a conventional competition, the hackathon marked the culmination of a 12-week training module, during which students attended expert-led online sessions focused on real-world applications of AI. The curriculum integrated technical learning with entrepreneurship and creativity, covering areas such as AI-based project development, web design, digital tools, and business planning.

Following the training phase, 60 shortlisted students from 20 schools advanced to the final hackathon held in Mohali. Working in teams, participants presented AI-driven solutions within a limited timeframe before a panel of experts. Projects were evaluated on innovation, technical execution, practical relevance, business viability, and presentation.

The entries reflected a wide range of applications, including AI-powered web platforms, digital business models, creative media tools, and problem-solving solutions using emerging technologies.

State Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the initiative aims to foster innovation, leadership, and technical proficiency among students, preparing them for opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Among the winners, PSEB Adarsh Senior Secondary School, Khatkar Kalan secured the first prize of ₹11,000, followed by Ravinder Khullar Memorial GM Model Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar with ₹5,100, and Shaheed Udham Singh Wala Government Senior Secondary School, Sunam with ₹3,100. Consolation prizes were also awarded to other participants.

Officials said the initiative demonstrated the potential of government school students to develop competitive, real-world solutions when supported with structured training and mentorship. The state government plans to expand the programme in the next academic session, signalling a broader push to integrate AI and emerging technologies into the school education system.