In a paper published in the Partners Universal International Research Journal (PUIRJ), Dr. A. Shaji George, an independent researcher from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, examines the preparedness of India's engineering education system for AI transformation. 

India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, yet many lack the practical skills and knowledge to thrive in an AI-driven future. IMF forecasts suggest AI could impact 40% of jobs globally by 2025. Surveys show 67% of engineers worry AI will take their jobs; 60% of graduates are deemed unemployable by industry standards. The root causes include an oversupply of low-quality engineering colleges, curricula focusing on theory rather than application, and a lack of integration of emerging technologies. Weaknesses in technical knowledge, skill with artificial intelligence systems, and high-level problem-solving capability abound. This has to be taken into consideration when changing engineering education. 

The research advises national legislative actions to better control quality and close down low-quality institutions. It supports fresh school curricula including artificial intelligence literacy, project-based learning, increased software production and incubation of tech companies. Studies on well-known universities reveal that these kinds of events have previously produced favorable consequences. Based on the findings, India can become a talent hotspot if grassroots-level policy changes and curriculum reforms follow. 

They emphasize that upgrading skills must be seen as a lifelong endeavour. Engineers, with their strong technical foundations and complex problem-solving abilities, are well-positioned to lead India's AI revolution if given the right training. This not only requires revamping formal education but also access to on-the-job reskilling. The paper ultimately provides a roadmap for India's engineering sector to harness AI, instead of being displaced by it, based on data-driven insights and global best practices tailored to the Indian context.

Future-oriented Engineering Education

According to the research, with India at cusp of major technological transformations, reforming engineering talent development models warrants urgent priority to align India's demographic edge to emerging economic needs. A future-oriented vision calls for radical reimagining of engineering education to deliver creative problem solvers over rote learners.

The predominant model producing narrowly trained technical resources needs upgrading to nurture well-rounded, adaptable engineers equipped with multidisciplinary skill sets. Alongside strengthening knowledge depth in specific domains, breadth across allied areas will expand the solution vision. The study remarks that rethinking engineering teaching methodologies is vital to activating talent beyond classroom notions. Constructively channelling engineers' anxieties around AI-driven change warrants nurturing agile, adaptive mindsets open to fluid career transitions. 

While self-reliance is indispensable, global partnerships remain vital for world-class competitive edge. India must expand faculty, student research exchanges with international universities leading engineering innovations in markets, business models and pedagogies. Attracting top overseas talent including diaspora experts for Indian classrooms can have multiplier effects.

Responsible and ethical AI

According to the study, engineers shoulder profound accountability in directing AI's evidently transformative potential towards equitable progress. However, ethical and responsibility considerations remain peripheral to most Indian tech education programs. Mainstreaming elements of AI philosophy and sociology across engineering curricula is vital.

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