BrightCHAMPS, a live-learning edtech platform, has appointed Kartik Sharma, founder of DcodeAI, as director of curriculum and learning experiences. In this role, he has been tasked with upgrading and augmenting the curriculum across all four verticals—technology skills, robotics (STEM), financial literacy and communication skills. He will also build the AI learning vertical for the company. 
 
In the immediate future, Sharma, the author of 'Essentials of Artificial Intelligence', will adapt BrightCHAMPS' curriculum for different countries and geographies, aligning them with the local cultures, practices, academic standards and guidelines. Additionally, he will add a layer of child and behavioural psychology to it for a holistic learning experience. 
 
Sharma's appointment comes behind the edtech's expansion and growth-related announcements. In the last two months, BrightCHAMPS has announced a $100mn acquisition corpus, acquired Singapore-based communications and English live-learning platform Schola and is eyeing several more from around the world, particularly in South-East Asia and the US. 
 
BrightCHAMPS Founder and CEO Ravi Bhushan said of the appointment, "Curriculum and learning are at the heart of any educational company, and at BrightCHAMPS, we're always working towards strengthening it. I am certain that with Kartik's experience... his expertise in AI will help us double down on the ever-evolving technologies and seamlessly integrate them into our many verticals." 

Sharma has over 15 years of experience in AI and machine learning that he has leveraged to build technology products and drive product teams. In the past, he has worked with organisations across the globe, including Nestle, Deloitte, Hitachi, Bharti Airtel, ITC, MTN, Vimpelcom, Dialog (Axiata Group) and Macquarie Bank. 

He also has previous experience working with policy-level educational initiatives and is a mentor with Atal Innovation Mission for the Government of India, and has been a guest lecturer/mentor in various academic and global training institutes. He has also done an AI maturity assessment for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in UAE. 

Elaborating on BrightCHAMPS' vision and his place in it, Sharma said, "I have been actively teaching AI in communities such as Dr Kiran Bedi's Navjyoti Foundation to democratise digital skills learning. The larger impact and vision could be achieved with an organisation such as BrightCHAMPS with common core shared values of making a real impact and delivering superior learning outcomes inclusively to ensure that today's learners are well-versed in future skills such as AI, IoT, metaverse and blockchain. Together, we can realise our mission to skill and upskill the children of today and make them future-ready, such that they can make the most of the opportunities that come their way eight to 10 years from now."