Centre for Educational Technology and Learning Sciences launched

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

With artificial intelligence rapidly changing how people access information, solve problems and work, the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H) has launched the Centre for Educational Technology and Learning Sciences (CETLS) to examine a fundamental question: how should humans learn in an AI-driven world? The new interdisciplinary centre was launched by R. Chandrashekhar,

former President of NASSCOM, in the presence of IIIT-H Director Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Governing Council member Srini Raju, former director Prof. P.J. Narayanan, Prof. Vasudeva Varma and around 100 guests, faculty members and education practitioners.

Raju also unveiled the centre’s logo. CETLS will bring together learning sciences, cognitive science, psychology and technology to study learning across the lifespan, covering K-12 education, higher education, workplaces and later life. The centre’s researchers want to distinguish between using AI to finish a task and learning with AI. Instant answers, summaries and solutions may make assignments easier, but they can also reduce the questioning, experimentation and practice through which understanding develops.

Prof. Varma, who leads CETLS, said the centre would explore “slow learning” and productive struggle, where technology supports learners without removing every difficulty. Prof. Raj Reddy, Chief Mentor of CETLS and founder of IIIT-H, said AI demanded a fundamental re-examination of education, from KG to PG. He argued that critical thinking, problem-solving and independent judgement would become more important than memorizing facts. CETLS will focus on four areas—K-12, higher education, executive education and third-age learning. Its larger aim is to understand learning first and then build technology that genuinely strengthens it.