India is Leading the Way in Scaling AI for Education: Lessons for Google

Google’s Education AI: Lessons from India’s Classrooms

As AI rapidly integrates into classrooms around the globe, Google is discovering critical insights on scaling technology not from Silicon Valley, but from the diverse educational landscape of India’s schools.

India serves as a vital testing ground for Google’s education AI amid escalating competition from innovators like OpenAI and Microsoft. With over a billion internet users, the nation leads global engagement with Gemini for educational purposes, as highlighted by Chris Phillips, Google’s VP and GM for education. This surge comes from a system influenced by state-level curricula, substantial government involvement, and varied access to technology.

Insights from Google’s AI for Learning Forum

Phillips shared these observations during the AI for Learning Forum in New Delhi, where he engaged with K-12 administrators and education officials to gather insights on AI tool implementation in classrooms.

The Scale of India’s Educational Landscape

India’s extensive education system, serving approximately 247 million students across nearly 1.47 million schools as per the Indian government’s Economic Survey 2025–26, is supported by around 10.1 million teachers. Its higher education sector is also substantial, with more than 43 million students enrolled in 2021–22—a 26.5% increase since 2014–15. This vast and decentralized system presents challenges for integrating AI tools.

Adapting AI for Local Needs

A key lesson for Google is that educational AI cannot be offered as a one-size-fits-all solution. In India, where states control curriculum decisions and ministries are actively involved, Google has tailored its education AI to allow schools and administrators to determine its application. This shift marks a departure from Google’s typical global-scale approach.

“We are not delivering a one-size-fits-all,” Phillips stated in an interview with TechCrunch. “It’s a very diverse environment around the world.”

Innovative Learning Approaches

This diversity is also changing Google’s perspective on AI-driven learning. The company notes a quicker adoption of multimodal learning in India, which combines video, audio, and text—crucial for accommodating various languages, learning styles, and resource availability.

Prioritizing the Teacher-Student Relationship

Another significant shift is Google’s focus on designing AI tools that empower teachers rather than supplanting them. These tools aim to enhance educators’ capabilities in planning, assessing, and managing classrooms, reinforcing the importance of the teacher-student relationship.

“The teacher-student relationship is critical,” said Phillips. “We’re here to help that grow and flourish, not replace it.”

Addressing Access Challenges

In regions of India where classrooms lack individual access to devices or reliable internet, Google is adapting its approach. Many schools operate under shared device models, facing inconsistent connectivity, which requires Google’s solutions to be flexible and context-sensitive.

Transformative Educational Initiatives

Google is translating these insights into actionable programs, such as AI-powered JEE Main preparation, a nationwide teacher training initiative for 40,000 Kendriya Vidyalaya educators, and collaborations with government bodies to create India’s first AI-enabled state university.

Global Implications of India’s AI Experience

For Google, the challenges faced in India serve as a precursor to potential issues that may arise as AI expands further into educational systems globally. The company anticipates that questions related to control, access, and localization—apparent in India—will play vital roles in shaping the global landscape of AI in education.

Shifting Focus to Learning

Google’s emphasis reflects a significant transition in AI usage. While entertainment dominated AI applications last year, learning has emerged as a leading use case among younger demographics, turning education into a critical arena for Google as students increasingly utilize AI for studying and skill development.

Rising Competition in the EdTech Space

India’s intricate educational framework is garnering attention from competitors as well. OpenAI has begun establishing a local presence in education, appointing former Coursera APAC managing director Raghav Gupta as its education head for India and APAC, alongside a new Learning Accelerator initiative. Meanwhile, Microsoft has expanded its partnerships with educational institutions and edtech companies like Physics Wallah to enhance AI-driven learning and teacher training.

Concerns Regarding AI in Education

Simultaneously, India’s latest Economic Survey raises flags about potential risks associated with uncritical AI usage, such as dependency on automated tools and adverse effects on learning outcomes. Citing research from MIT and Microsoft, it warns that overreliance on AI for creative tasks may contribute to cognitive decline and impede critical thinking skills.

The Future of AI in Education

Whether Google’s strategies in India will serve as a blueprint for global AI in education remains uncertain. However, as generative AI integrates deeper into public educational systems worldwide, the lessons being learned in India are likely to resonate far beyond its borders, presenting crucial insights for the entire industry.