‘AI To Empower, Not Replace Teachers’: Intel India Region VP & MD On The Future Of Learning

‘AI To Empower, Not Replace Teachers’: Intel India Region VP & MD On The Future Of Learning

With India's classrooms still facing infrastructure limitations and language barriers, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to reshape education. In an exclusive conversation with News18, Santhosh Viswanathan, Vice President and Managing Director of Intel India Region, explained how AI can make learning more personalised, interactive, and accessible. He noted that India's student-to-computer ratio is around 1:120, compared with 1:1 in many developed countries, and highlighted the role of vernacular AI in bridging gaps in rural and underserved areas. According to Viswanathan, AI is meant to support teachers by handling repetitive tasks like grading and doubt-solving, allowing educators to focus on mentorship, skill development, and encouraging curiosity among students.

Here are the edited excerpts of the interview:

How do you see AI transforming learning in India over the next 5–10 years?

India's classrooms are on the brink of a profound transformation, with AI enabling a shift away from one-way, video-based instruction that has long left students as passive recipients of information, toward a far more interactive, two-way model of learning that adapts intelligently to each child's pace, strengths, and challenges. By creating personalised learning paths, delivering real-time feedback, and giving students the confidence to ask questions without hesitation, AI has the potential to unlock a richer and more engaging classroom experience where gamified and interactive formats sustain curiosity and reliable systems ensure accuracy even in high-stakes areas such as exam preparation.

At Intel, we are working with partners like Ei Mindspark, which offers adaptive learning for school students, and Physics Wallah's AI Guru and Saarthi, which act as multilingual tutors available round the clock. These solutions show how education can move from rigid, syllabus-driven instruction to dynamic, personalised, and skill-oriented learning.

Which areas of education are likely to benefit the most from AI first: schools, colleges, or vocational training?

Education in India spans from school foundations to university research and vocational training, and AI has the potential to contribute meaningfully across this entire spectrum. In schools, it can personalise foundational learning, adapt practice to individual needs, and offer vernacular doubt-clearing that makes knowledge more accessible. In higher education, it can support grading, mentoring, and even research assistance, while in vocational settings, AI-driven simulations can provide learners with hands-on practical exposure at scale, something that has traditionally been difficult to achieve.

Our partners are already building for each of these spaces. Infinity Learn has AI graders and conversational mentors for higher education, while Gignaati is developing AI-driven tools that help students in vocational and professional tracks monetise their skills. I believe AI is not about choosing one segment over another, but about enabling every learner, whether in a village school, a university lab, or a skills training center.

How can AI help teachers support students without replacing them?

Teachers will always remain at the centre of learning, because no technology can replace the human ability to inspire, motivate, and mentor students. The real promise of AI lies in strengthening that role by taking away the repetitive, time-consuming tasks that often distract teachers from deeper engagement. Instead of spending hours grading, building question banks, or answering routine queries, teachers can redirect their energy toward identifying gaps, providing personalised guidance, and focusing on higher-order skills such as critical thinking and collaboration.

This is not just a vision but something already being demonstrated. At our PadhAI Ka Future event, Infinity Learn showcased powerful solutions running directly on AI PCs, including an AI Grader that can evaluate lengthy, subjective answer sheets of more than 20 pages, providing detailed feedback and precise scoring for both teachers and students; an AI Doubt Solver that allows students to simply snap a picture of a question and instantly receive step-by-step explanations drawn from a verified question bank; and AINA, a conversational AI mentor that tracks academic progress, manages study goals, and provides 24/7 personalised support while safeguarding student privacy. Together, these tools show how AI can act as an assistant in the classroom, saving time, improving outcomes, and giving teachers the freedom to do what they do best: inspire.

How can AI address learning gaps in rural and underserved areas?

AI has the power to bridge some of the toughest learning gaps in rural and underserved areas. Language is often the first barrier, and vernacular AI ensures children can learn in their mother tongue, making lessons easier to absorb. Access is the second challenge – as India's student-to-computer ratio is still around 1:120 compared to 1:1 in many developed nations. While smartphones are widely available, they work best for one-way video consumption and are limited for interactive learning.

By embedding AI models directly on PCs, Intel and its partners are making it possible for students to learn at their own pace, in their own language, without always relying on cloud connectivity. For instance, we have collaborated with edtech players like Physics Wallah for their AI Guru chatbot and SchoolNet's AI-enabled classroom apps to show how these tools can reach children even in classrooms with just one or two functional devices.

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What are the main challenges in implementing AI in Indian classrooms?

The real hurdles in adopting AI in education are not technical but lie in infrastructure and mindset. Many parents still view PCs as distractions, just as calculators were once seen when they first entered classrooms. Teachers worry about being replaced, and students sometimes misuse AI without guidance. Changing these perceptions is vital to reposition AI as a tool for empowerment rather than a threat.

At the same time, India faces a stark infrastructure challenge. Less than 10 percent of households have access to a computer, even though more than 90 percent own smartphones. Phones are valuable for communication and basic content delivery, but meaningful two-way learning requires a PC. That is why we must treat compute access as critical infrastructure, just like electricity or textbooks.

What ethical or policy considerations should schools keep in mind when adopting AI?

The adoption of AI in classrooms needs to be built on strong ethical foundations. Security and privacy must come first, and children should only interact with AI systems designed specifically for their age and context. Local AI models running directly on PCs are a safer option because they keep sensitive data secure while reducing dependence on cloud infrastructure. Equally important is responsible use, where AI augments teachers rather than replaces them, with transparency in assessments and fairness across different student groups and languages.

Looking ahead, I believe we must start talking about the Right to Compute. Just as India recognized the Right to Education, equitable compute access should become a national priority to prepare every child for an AI-driven world.

What emerging AI technologies do you think have the most potential for education?

Technologies that enable personalised, application-based learning have the greatest potential. AI PCs with CPU, GPU, and NPU support on-device models that act as tutors, mentors, and coaches tailored to each student. Generative AI, adaptive learning platforms, and AI-driven simulations can help students apply concepts in real-world contexts rather than rote memorisation. Future-ready learning also requires integrating human skills such as empathy, teamwork, and collaboration. As infrastructure improves, scalable technologies like AR/VR will complement AI PCs, making experiential learning accessible. Ultimately, the combination of personalised AI, compute access, and teacher augmentation will reshape learning for millions of students across India.

Source: News18
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