India and its AI FUTURE


In an era of e-education, there seems to be an overemphasis on the ‘e’ while ignoring the ‘education.’”

This quote sums up the reality of India’s situation today. While the country talks about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a high-tech future, millions of children still go to schools without proper classrooms, internet access, or even teachers

The Harsh Reality: Not Ready Yet

India’s policymakers often speak about becoming a global AI hub, but before dreaming of robots and smart classrooms, it’s worth asking - are we even ready for it?

In several states, including Bihar, government schools don’t have internet connections. Many schools don’t have enough teachers or working toilets. Some have no boundary walls or electricity. In these conditions, words like “AI readiness” sound distant and out of touch.

Technology can be powerful, but without the basics - education, infrastructure, and equal access - it’s like building a skyscraper on weak foundations. AI may promise progress, but progress built on neglect will not last.

Technology can be powerful, but without the basics - education, infrastructure, and equal access -it’s like building a skyscraper on weak foundations. AI may promise progress, but progress built on neglect will not last.

India’s real digital divide is not just between those who have smartphones and those who don’t. It’s between those who can learn and those who are left behind. Until every child, whether in Bihar or Bengaluru, has access to good teachers, stable electricity, and proper classrooms, talk about AI in education will remain more buzz than substance.


Critics Raise Tough Questions

Many experts believe India’s AI conversation is skipping an important step - fixing the basics first. As one education policy analyst said, “Before machines become intelligent, our education system needs to.”


Critics argue that India’s rush toward AI adoption hides deep gaps in readiness. There’s talk of smart boards and AI-driven learning tools, but thousands of schools don’t even have blackboards. The focus has shifted to gadgets instead of goals.

A study by NITI Aayog says AI could help India boost productivity by up to 30% and grow its economy faster. (NITI Aayog, 2025) But another report by Carnegie Endowment points out that without strong data systems, proper digital infrastructure, and education reform, this growth will remain uneven. (Carnegie Endowment, 2024)


Experts also warn that the gap between India’s urban and rural digital infrastructure could widen inequality. A child in Delhi using AI tools in class may learn faster, while a child in rural Jharkhand without a working school computer might fall further behind.


Skills, Policy, and Priorities


India’s challenge goes beyond classrooms. The country produces a large number of engineers but not enough researchers trained in high-end AI. Less than 500 AI-related PhDs graduate each year, and many top researchers leave to work abroad. (Times of India, 2025)


There’s also a policy gap. India has several AI-related initiatives but no clear national law or unified strategy. A 2025 study called India’s AI governance “fragmented and reactive,” warning that it could lose control over its own digital future. (SciELO, 2025)

Some critics go even further, arguing that India may become only a user of foreign AI systems rather than a creator. They warn that relying on imported AI from big tech companies in the US or China could make India a “digital colony.” (The Diplomat, 2025)

What the Experts Say


Economists believe India’s long-term growth depends on how well it can train and retain talent. They call for AI education at all levels, from school to university, and investment in research labs across the country.


However, they also emphasize that AI should not come at the cost of basic education reform. As one expert put it, “AI will not save our schools. Strong teachers, proper infrastructure, and steady internet will.”


This view is shared by educators who say India’s biggest digital challenge is not about machines but mindsets -about giving equal learning opportunities to every child, not just those in big cities.


Learning from Other Countries

Globally, countries have taken different routes:


United States : Heavy investment in AI research and university-industry partnerships.

China : Government-led AI push with focus on data and hardware.

European Union : Emphasis on ethics, rights, and AI safety.


India must find its own path, one that balances innovation with inclusion. The goal shouldn’t be to copy others but to build an AI future that fits India’s unique needs and values.

The Way Forward


Experts suggest that India’s AI journey must begin with a strong foundation, not just big ambitions. Here’s what that looks like:


Fix education first - Every school must have trained teachers, working infrastructure, and internet access. Without this, AI in education is meaningless.


Invest in real capability - Build Indian AI models, data centers, and computing infrastructure so that India is not dependent on foreign systems.


Train and retain talent - Strengthen AI and data science programs in universities and offer scholarships to keep top talent in the country.

Smart regulation - Create clear rules for responsible AI - transparency, fairness, and data protection - without stifling innovation.


Focus on social problems - Use AI to tackle India’s real challenges - improving crop yields, predicting floods, delivering healthcare, and translating between languages.


Lead globally - Use India’s voice in the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence to shape fair AI policies for developing nations.


Conclusion

AI can transform India - but only if India is ready for it. Readiness doesn’t mean fancy gadgets or apps; it means strong schools, skilled people, reliable internet, and inclusive growth.

If India continues to ignore its basic education needs, the dream of an AI-powered future will stay out of reach for millions. But if the country invests in both brains and bandwidth, it can build a future where technology truly serves everyone.


AI should not replace education. It should rise from it.












The insight review 

Upasna Sharma 

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