COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to introduce several courses in artificial intelligence to the education system, the government's information department said on Feb 13.

The proposal was based on the recommendations of the task force appointed for the formation of a national strategy and plan related to artificial intelligence, the information department said.

The project will be implemented with the support of the Microsoft Institute, the department said.

As a part of the project, the cabinet approved revising the international syllabus currently implemented by the Microsoft Institute based on recommendations of the Sri Lanka National Institute of Education and commencing the proposed pilot projects from grade 8 in schools where the necessary basic human resources are available, said the department.

The cabinet also approved the digitization of schools selected for the pilot project under the facilities provided by the Microsoft Institute and the training of 100 information and communication technology subject teachers by the Microsoft Institute.