IIT Madras's SWAYAM Plus platform has expanded its AI course offerings with two separate launches. The first set includes beginner-friendly courses on Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning with Python, and Deep Learning with Python, available to learners worldwide. The platform's learner base has now surpassed 5.5 lakh users.
In a separate initiative under the AI for All campaign, SWAYAM Plus partnered with IITM Pravartak to launch three more courses: AI for Aspiring Engineers, AI for Administrators, and Prompt Engineering. These require no prior coding or AI experience and are taught by IIT ecosystem experts. Registration closes May 10, 2026, with fees ranging from 100 to 500 rupees plus GST. The platform now hosts over 500 courses across 15 sectors.
Concerns about AI's impact on workers are growing. A new poll shows over 70% of Americans worry about losing their jobs to AI. Startup Kuse AI has created an AI employee that can perform human work for $2,000 monthly, and over 2,000 businesses have expressed interest. Critics argue that the push for perfect efficiency is making workers miserable, with AI being used in ways that are anti-human because people are not machines designed to be constantly on task.
Security and control of AI systems are under scrutiny after reports of unauthorized access to one of the most powerful AI models ever developed. The owners say nothing malicious happened, but the incident has raised concerns about AI technology falling into the wrong hands. Experts including a UCLA professor, a research director, and a UN senior adviser on AI are exploring how AI is being controlled globally.
In Utah, the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy launched a pilot program with AI startup Doctronic that uses a chatbot to renew prescriptions for nearly 200 drugs without physician oversight. The Utah Medical Licensing Board said it only learned about the agreement after it launched and asked the state to stop the program, warning that proceeding without consulting them potentially places Utah citizens at risk. This is the first major challenge to the state's high-profile AI doctor experiment.
A North Carolina student, Eleanor Canina, a 15-year-old freshman at Green Hope High School in Cary, received a zero on an English assignment after three different AI detection tools flagged her work as partially AI generated. The tools showed 62%, 75%, and 87% likelihood of AI generation. Canina and her mother argue that teachers should not rely on AI detectors, which are known to give false positives. The Wake County school system said teachers must be able to accurately assess student work but also ensure fair evaluation.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced an expansion of World ID, a verification service created by Tools for Humanity. The service uses Orb cameras that capture iris biometric information to create a digital passport proving a person is human. Zoom, Docusign, and Tinder will start supporting Orb backed verification. The company says encrypted data is deleted from the Orb after transfer to the user's phone. The service aims to address the growing problem of AI generated fake content online.
Key Takeaways
- IIT Madras SWAYAM Plus added three new AI courses: Introduction to AI, Machine Learning with Python, and Deep Learning with Python, with learner base exceeding 5.5 lakh.
- SWAYAM Plus also launched three AI for All campaign courses: AI for Aspiring Engineers, AI for Administrators, and Prompt Engineering, with registration open until May 10, 2026, and fees from 100 to 500 rupees plus GST.
- Over 70% of Americans worry about losing their jobs to AI, according to a new poll.
- Startup Kuse AI created an AI employee that can do human work for $2,000 monthly, with over 2,000 businesses wanting to try it.
- Unauthorized access to one of the most powerful AI models has raised concerns about AI control and security.
- Utah's Office of AI Policy launched a pilot with Doctronic using a chatbot to renew prescriptions for nearly 200 drugs without physician oversight, drawing a halt request from the state medical board.
- A North Carolina student received a zero on an assignment after AI detection tools gave false positives, highlighting the unreliability of such detectors.
- Sam Altman expanded World ID, a biometric verification service using Orb cameras, with Zoom, Docusign, and Tinder supporting it.
- World ID aims to verify humans online by capturing iris biometrics, with encrypted data deleted from the Orb after transfer to the user's phone.
IIT Madras SWAYAM Plus adds 3 AI courses as learners top 5.5 lakh
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras digital learning platform SWAYAM Plus has launched three new beginner-friendly AI courses. The courses are Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning with Python, and Deep Learning with Python. The platform's learner base has crossed 5.5 lakh users. The courses are self-paced and available to learners worldwide as part of the Ministry of Education's NMEICT mission.
IIT Madras SWAYAM Plus launches three new AI courses for all
IIT Madras digital learning platform SWAYAM Plus has launched three new AI courses under the AI for All campaign in partnership with IITM Pravartak. The courses are AI for Aspiring Engineers, AI for Administrators, and Prompt Engineering. They require no prior coding or AI experience and are taught by IIT ecosystem experts. The last date to register is May 10, 2026, and fees range from 100 to 500 rupees plus GST. The platform now hosts over 500 courses across 15 sectors with more than 5.5 lakh registered learners.
AI co-workers raise concerns about worker well being
A new poll shows over 70% of Americans worry about losing their jobs to artificial intelligence. A startup called Kuse AI has created an AI employee that can do human work for $2,000 monthly, and over 2,000 businesses want to try it. The article argues that the push for perfect efficiency is making workers miserable. It says AI is being used in ways that are anti-human because people are not machines designed to be constantly on task.
Who controls AI after a major model breach
Reports have emerged of unauthorized access to one of the most powerful AI models ever developed. The owners say nothing malicious happened, but the incident has raised concerns about AI technology falling into the wrong hands. The video discussion features experts including a UCLA professor, a research director, and a UN senior adviser on AI. They explore how AI is being controlled globally.
Utah medical board demands halt to AI doctor experiment
Utah's Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy launched a pilot program with AI startup Doctronic that uses a chatbot to renew prescriptions for nearly 200 drugs without physician oversight. The Utah Medical Licensing Board said it only learned about the agreement after it launched and asked the state to stop the program. The board wrote that proceeding without consulting them potentially places Utah citizens at risk. This is the first major challenge to the state's high-profile AI doctor experiment.
North Carolina student fights false AI accusation at school
Eleanor Canina, a 15-year-old freshman at Green Hope High School in Cary, received a zero on an English assignment after three different AI detection tools said her work was partially AI generated. Canina and her mother argue that teachers should not rely on AI detectors, which are known to give false positives. The teacher used results showing 62%, 75%, and 87% likelihood of AI generation. The Wake County school system said teachers must be able to accurately assess student work but also ensure fair evaluation.
Sam Altman launches World ID to verify humans online
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced an expansion of World ID, a verification service created by Tools for Humanity. The service uses Orb cameras that capture iris biometric information to create a digital passport proving a person is human. Zoom, Docusign, and Tinder will start supporting Orb backed verification. The company says encrypted data is deleted from the Orb after transfer to the user's phone. The service aims to address the growing problem of AI generated fake content online.
Sources
- IIT-Madras SWAYAM Plus launches 3 AI courses as learner base crosses 5.5 lakh
- IIT Madras’ SWAYAM Plus launches three New AI Courses. | Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- People are not machines — but your AI co-worker won’t care
- Who’s in control of AI?
- Utah medical board calls for immediate suspension of state's AI doctor experiment
- North Carolina Student Fights Accusation of AI Use
- Sam Altman Wants to Know Whether You’re Human
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