Kundapur: In a move aimed at modernising classroom learning, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robotic teacher is set to be introduced on a pilot basis at a government school in Windse village of Kundapur taluk in Karnataka.
The initiative, inspired by similar developments in Kerala, is being seen as an effort to enhance the quality of education through technology integration. Officials indicated that the project will initially be implemented on a trial basis, and its future expansion will depend on the outcome of the pilot.
However, the development has also triggered concerns among sections of the teaching community. Thousands of trained teachers in the state are currently awaiting recruitment into government schools and colleges, while many others continue to work as guest faculty in the absence of regular appointments. In this backdrop, some educators fear that increased reliance on AI-driven teaching tools could impact employment opportunities in the sector.
Notably, India’s first AI-enabled teacher was introduced in 2024 at KTCT Higher Primary School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Following this, the Karnataka pilot will see the introduction of an AI robotic teacher named ‘Iris’ at the Windse Government School from the upcoming academic year.
‘Iris’, developed under the Atal Tinkering Lab initiative, has been designed to assist in teaching multiple subjects, including artificial intelligence, to students from LKG to SSLC. The system supports over 20 languages, including Kannada, English and Hindi, and is capable of delivering lessons, providing study material, and responding to students’ queries interactively.
In addition to classroom instruction, the robot is programmed to engage with students, including greeting them upon arrival at the school.
The AI teacher has been developed at a cost of approximately ₹3.5 lakh, funded by alumni and donors associated with the institution. The school has been adopted by the Sri Mookambika Charitable Trust, with active support from former students for its development.