Chandigarh, Dec. 22 -- Marking a significant step toward equitable career planning for students, the Punjab government Sunday launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to integrate artificial intelligence-driven career guidance into its public school system. Under the pilot phase, 25 AI-enabled Career Guidance Labs were inaugurated in government and Punjab School Education Board (PSEB)-affiliated schools, said education minister Harjot Singh Bains. The minister said the new initiative will help students make informed choices about their future. Bains rolled out the initiative by simultaneously inaugurating labs at Government Senior Secondary School, Nangal and Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Sri Anandpur Sahib. The programme, implemented in collaboration with ed-tech partner Beyond Mentor, is being offered free of cost to students, an official statement said. This initiative is about empowering the state's youth with the right tools at the right time, Bains said, while adding that the 25-school pilot will be closely monitored for impact, student outcomes, and operational efficacy. Successful implementation is expected to pave the way for a phased expansion across Punjab, potentially making it one of the first states in India to embed systematic AI-led career guidance within its public education framework, the statement said. The initiative underscores chief minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government's commitment to preparing its students for the demands of the 21st-century economy, Bains said. "Career guidance should not be a luxury. By bringing structured, AI-powered counselling into our government schools, we are ensuring every child, irrespective of their socio-economic background, can make an informed choice about their future," the education minister said....