Copyright infringement not intended

Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context

AI is transforming the Indian education system by personalizing learning, improving efficiency, and preparing students for a technology-driven future.

What is “AI in education”?

"AI in education" refers to the application of Artificial Intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics, to enhance teaching, learning, and administrative processes within educational systems. 

AI tools are transforming education by offering personalized learning, automating tasks, providing feedback, and generating insights; making education more accessible, equitable, and effective in a digital world.

How can AI address current educational challenges in India?

Limited Access and Unequal Distribution

In 2022-23, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education in the 18-23 age group was 28.4%, largely due to the challenges students in rural and remote areas face in accessing quality higher education. (Source: DDN News)

AI can address the geographical barriers by offering universal access to educational content.

Lack of Personalized Learning

AI algorithms can tailor education for diverse student groups in large classrooms by analyzing individual learning patterns and adapting content and pace to create customized learning paths.

Teacher Workload and Quality Concerns

Teachers face large class sizes and administrative tasks. AI can automate routine tasks like grading and report generation, freeing teachers to focus on student interaction, thus improving teaching quality.

Inefficient Assessment and Feedback

AI assessment tools offer a faster and more adaptive alternative to traditional methods, providing instant feedback that helps students quickly identify and correct misunderstandings.

Skill Gap and Employability Issues

Mismatch between academic output and industry demands. According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, nearly half of all graduates (48.75%) lack the necessary skills for current job market demands.

AI can identify emerging skill requirements, offer reskilling/upskilling modules, and provide career guidance based on market trends and individual aptitudes, enhancing graduate employability.

Language Barriers

AI-driven translation and localization tools can make educational resources accessible in various vernacular languages, promoting inclusivity.

How is India implementing AI in education?

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

NEP 2020 promotes integrating AI in education for personalized learning, teacher training, and administrative efficiency. 

It also plans a National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) to share ideas on technology in education.

National AI Strategy (NITI Aayog)

NITI Aayog's "National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence" (2018) identifies education as a key sector for AI adoption. 

It recommends developing AI-powered solutions for improving access, quality, and curriculum design, along with fostering AI literacy. 

DIKSHA Platform

The Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform, launched by the Ministry of Education, hosts a vast repository of e-content for school education. 

AI is being used on DIKSHA for content recommendation, tracking learning progress, and offering interactive experiences. 

IndiaAI Mission

Launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), the IndiaAI Mission is an umbrella program to converge national-level initiatives and catalyze the AI innovation ecosystem.

AI in Higher Education

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced AI and Machine Learning courses as part of its curriculum and encourages institutions to integrate AI tools for academic research and administrative tasks.  

SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) Initiative

Launched in July 2025, the SOAR program targets students from Classes 6 to 12 with three structured 15-hour modules to build AI literacy.  It also includes a 45-hour module for teachers.

What Challenges Arise with AI in Education?

Exacerbating the Digital Divide

AI benefits are limited by inequalities in access to technology, internet, and digital literacy, particularly in rural and low-income areas.

Data Privacy and Security Concerns

AI requires vast student data, raising concerns about privacy, security, and potential misuse. 

Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination

AI algorithms can amplify societal biases (gender, caste, socio-economic status), impacting student opportunities and evaluations if trained on biased data.

Risk of Over-reliance and Deskilling

Excessive AI dependence may diminish critical thinking, problem-solving, and human interaction skills for both students and teachers.

Diminished Human Connection

AI cannot fully replicate the empathy, emotional intelligence, and holistic development promoted by human teacher-student interactions, risking the socio-emotional aspects of education.

High Costs and Infrastructure Requirements

Developing and deploying quality AI educational tools requires substantial investment, which can be prohibitive for many institutions.

Lack of Quality Control and Validation

The AI ed-tech market needs evaluation and certification of effectiveness and adherence to educational standards to ensure quality and prevent misleading claims.  

Way Forward to maximise benefit and minimise harm

Develop a Comprehensive Regulatory Framework

Implement a clear, adaptable regulatory framework for AI in education that addresses data privacy (e.g., aligning with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023), algorithmic transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines for AI development and deployment.  

Invest in Digital Infrastructure and Access

Prioritize investment in affordable broadband internet, digital devices, and reliable electricity to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to AI-powered learning tools.

Prioritize Teacher Training and Upskilling

Implement mandatory, continuous professional development programs for teachers on AI literacy, pedagogical integration of AI tools, and ethical considerations. 

Empower teachers as facilitators and co-creators of AI-enhanced learning experiences, rather than seeing them as replaceable.

Foster Ethical AI Development

Encourage the development of 'responsible AI' tools that are transparent, explainable, fair, and human-centric. 

Involve educators, ethicists, and students in the design and evaluation processes to ensure tools align with educational values and user needs.

Promote Research and Innovation with Safeguards

Encourage ethical AI in education by backing academic research on AI's impact and effectiveness, prioritizing open-source AI tools, and enforcing strict ethical guidelines for all research.

Curriculum Reform for AI Literacy

Integrate AI literacy, computational thinking, and data ethics into school and higher education curricula, to prepare students not just to use AI, but to understand its implications and develop it responsibly.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Promote collaborations between government, academic institutions, ed-tech companies, and civil society organizations to develop, deploy, and evaluate AI solutions.  

Conclusion

AI can personalize learning, assist teachers, develop skills, and promote inclusion in Indian education. However, India must tackle the digital divide, privacy concerns, bias, and insufficient teacher training through robust policies, human-centric AI, strong infrastructure, and ongoing innovation.

Source: THE HINDU