Google’s ₹85 Crore Grant to Wadhwani AI to Transform Education

Google has recently made a significant investment of ₹85 crore to Wadhwani AI. This funding, dispensed through Google.org, is designed to modernise India’s public education system by incorporating “India-first” artificial intelligence solutions into government platforms. Research indicates that 74% of Indians see AI as a means to enhance student outcomes.

Enhancing Educational Access with AI

This initiative is an essential part of Google’s broader mission to democratise responsible AI education, aiming to reach 75 million students and 1.8 million educators throughout the country by December 2027.

Integration of Advanced AI Capabilities

The funding specifically targets the incorporation of advanced AI functionalities into existing public infrastructures, such as the SWAYAM online learning platform and the POSHAN Tracker, which is used for monitoring health and nutrition. This collaboration focuses on enhancing the technologies that millions of Indians rely on daily rather than developing new systems from scratch.

Personalised Learning Journey

By directly embedding AI into these government platforms, the initiative aspires to deliver personalised support to learners at every educational level, from early childhood education to vocational training.

AI-Driven Features for Improved Learning

This investment will enable the creation and application of various AI-driven functionalities aimed at enhancing learning outcomes. For instance, it will introduce voice-based AI features to assist young learners in developing oral reading fluency across ten diverse Indian languages.

Supporting English Language Development

Moreover, AI-powered English language coaches will be introduced, aiding students and early-career professionals in acquiring essential communication skills needed in today’s workforce. This approach will also expand access by making Google’s core educational products, such as Gemini and Google Classroom, available in several Indian languages, thereby catering to students regardless of their primary language.

A Holistic Approach to AI in Education

The funding for Wadhwani AI forms part of a comprehensive strategy by Google in India. It also involves a collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, facilitating the establishment of the country’s first AI-enabled university at Chaudhary Charan Singh University.

Vision for the Future

Preeti Lobana, VP and Country Manager at Google India, expressed excitement about the potential impact, stating that combining teaching with AI-backed research principles in education can pave the way for a future where every learner in India has the chance to fulfil their potential, irrespective of language or location.

Creating a National Framework for Education

The insights gained from the Wadhwani AI initiative and the university pilot will contribute to developing a national framework aimed at modernising higher education. This framework is designed to act as a model for thousands of institutions across India, helping to close the digital divide between major cities and tier 2 and 3 regions.