logo
Shaping future-ready engineers: AI-focused B.Tech programme

Shaping future-ready engineers: AI-focused B.Tech programme

Hans India29-05-2025
As artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science reshape industries worldwide, India faces a critical challenge: bridging the growing gap between academic training and industry demands. In an exclusive interview with Young Hans, Rahul Attuluri, Co-Founder & CEO of NxtWave, discusses the motivations, innovations, and vision behind a new B.Tech program aimed at transforming tech education through a deep focus on AI, hands-on learning, and real-world application.
Reimagining engineering education for the AI era
The idea behind launching this new B.Tech program stemmed from a pressing need to modernize engineering education in India. As per the Economic Survey 2023–24, nearly 65% of India's population is under 35, yet only about half are considered employable. The education system, while vast, is often outpaced by rapid technological advances.
"The demand for AI and ML talent is soaring—over 50% year-on-year," says Rahul. "Yet, only 26% of tech graduates have the industry-relevant skills needed today."
Unlike traditional computer science degrees that treat AI and data science as optional or peripheral, this program integrates them at the core of its curriculum. Rather than teaching outdated methods like classical machine learning alone, it emphasizes deep learning, generative AI, and even the emerging field of Physical AI—technologies that are driving innovation in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and intelligent systems.
From day one: Learning by building
Hands-on learning is central to the program's philosophy. Students dive into real-world AI, robotics, and IoT projects starting in their very first year. With access to cutting-edge labs, physical AI kits, and industry-grade platforms, students develop more than 50 projects by graduation.
Industry experts from top tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft regularly lead masterclasses, ensuring that students stay connected to current trends and technologies. An advanced, AI-powered learning platform further personalizes assignments and feedback, enabling growth at an individual level.
This experiential approach yields impressive outcomes. For instance, first-year students recently built and demonstrated a self-driving car that caught the attention of Shinpei Kato, a global leader in autonomous mobility. Other standout innovations include **Questify**, a gamified productivity tool built using generative AI, and **Innfill**, a tech-enabled car wash startup launched by a student and already gaining paying users.
Future-proofing careers in an AI-driven world
Looking ahead, Rahul emphasizes that AI, ML, and data science will be the bedrock of innovation across all sectors—from healthcare and education to agriculture and finance.
Conclusion
As industries rapidly transform, this innovative B.Tech program is setting a new benchmark for engineering education in India. By focusing on emerging technologies, real-world skills, and continuous learning, it's empowering a new generation of engineers to thrive in an AI-first world.
Rahul Attuluri, Co-Founder & CEO, NxtWave and NIAT
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

They earn less than Rs 50,000, but this is how 93% salaried Indians are spending more
They earn less than Rs 50,000, but this is how 93% salaried Indians are spending more

Time of India

time26 minutes ago

  • Time of India

They earn less than Rs 50,000, but this is how 93% salaried Indians are spending more

A recent study reveals a significant rise in credit card usage among lower-income Indians, with 93% of salaried individuals earning under ₹50,000 and 85% of self-employed individuals now relying on them. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are also gaining traction, particularly among self-employed individuals. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads BNPL Also Gaining Popularity Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Fintechs Leading the Charge Credit cards are no longer just a luxury item for the wealthy. A new study shows that nearly 93% of salaried Indians earning under ₹50,000 per month now rely on credit cards to manage their expenses, reflecting a growing dependence on short-term credit among lower-income to a report by a data science and AI firm, this trend is not limited to salaried workers. Around 85% of self-employed individuals surveyed also use credit cards to meet their daily financial study, which observed the financial habits of over 20,000 salaried and self-employed individuals across India over a 12-month period, highlights a shift in how people access credit in today's digital not just credit cards. The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model is quickly catching on too. The study found that 15% of salaried individuals and 18% of self-employed people are using BNPL services.'In India's evolving credit landscape, products once seen as aspirational, credit cards and BNPL, are now essentials for everyone, from salaried professionals to gig workers,' said Amit Das, Founder and CEO of as quoted by report also points to the rising influence of fintech companies in India's credit market. In FY23, fintech firms disbursed over ₹92,000 crore in personal loans, making up 76% of all new loan originations by study notes that digital-first credit solutions like credit cards and BNPL are becoming especially important for low and middle-income earners who often struggle with cash flow or are not well-served by traditional from PTI

Sam Altman-led OpenAI may integrate commission system in ChatGPT shopping feature
Sam Altman-led OpenAI may integrate commission system in ChatGPT shopping feature

Time of India

time29 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Sam Altman-led OpenAI may integrate commission system in ChatGPT shopping feature

is reportedly planning to take a commission from online product sales made directly within ChatGPT, as the Sam Altman-led company actively works to expand its e-commerce capabilities in pursuit of new revenue streams. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per the current model, the San Francisco-based AI company displays products on its platform with links that redirect users to external online retailers. OpenAI also established a partnership with payments group Shopify in April. Citing multiple sources familiar with the proposals, a report by The Financial Times claims that OpenAI intends to integrate a full checkout system directly into ChatGPT. This would allow users to complete transactions entirely within the platform. Once this system is set up, merchants that process and fulfill orders through this integrated system will then pay a commission to OpenAI. OpenAI aims to push its e-commerce ambitions for revenue generation This push into e-commerce appears to signify a key strategic shift for the loss-making startup, which is valued at $300 billion. Currently, OpenAI's revenue comes from subscriptions to its premium services. By taking a cut of sales, the company may monetise users of its free ChatGPT version, which has remained an untapped revenue source until now, the report added. Why OpenAI's e-commerce model may be a threat to Google OpenAI's move may also pose a threat to Google's business model. The report says that consumers are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for search and product discovery, potentially bypassing traditional search engines. While the feature is still under development and details may change, OpenAI and partners like Shopify have reportedly been presenting early versions to various brands and discussing financial terms. Shopify's checkout technology, which underpins shopping features on other online services like TikTok , is well-suited for this kind of integration, the report noted.

Free AI training to 5.5 lakh village entrepreneurs soon, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Free AI training to 5.5 lakh village entrepreneurs soon, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Free AI training to 5.5 lakh village entrepreneurs soon, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel NEW DELHI: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Railways, and Information & Broadcasting (I&B), Wednesday said that the government will impart free training on Artificial Intelligence AI ) to nearly 5.5 lakh village-level entrepreneurs (VLE)."All of you (VLEs) will be given AI training for free. We have set a target under the IndiaAI Mission to skill around 10 lakh people. All 5.5 lakh VLEs will be given preference in that training," the minister was speaking at the 16th foundation day of the Common Service Centre (CSC) in minister further said that village entrepreneurs are present in nearly 90% of villages in the country, providing essential government-driven and other digital March last year, the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the IndiaAI Mission with a budgetary outlay of ?10,371.92-crore to catalyse AI innovation in the country. It seeks to democratise access to computing infrastructure, improve data quality, develop indigenous AI capabilities, and attract top AI talent, among May this year, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) said that India's national compute capacity has surpassed 34,000 GPUs, which will provide a common computational AI platform for training and inference, crucial to develop indigenous foundational models and AI solutions tailored to the domestic senior minister also said he would personally discuss with state chief ministers to merge various state-level CSCs to provide unified and integrated Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada said that there was a demand from CSC VLEs for merging state-based government services centres with CSC that could offer a higher income generation opportunity to Kumar Rakesh, Managing Director, CSC separately said that the creation of an AI training program is underway, and the initiative would be kicked off within this fiscal Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) was established in 2006 under MeitY, with the vision to deliver digital services to the last mile, and to create a robust ICT-based network across CSC is managed by a VLE, a local resident who earns by offering a host of government-to-citizen (G2C) nearly 2.5 lakhs gram panchayats (village blocks) covering more than 5.5 villages have a CSC.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store