India’s Educational Landscape Guides Google’s AI Expansion
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into classrooms worldwide, Google is discovering that some of the most valuable lessons on scaling this technology are emerging from India’s diverse educational system. The country’s unique challenges and opportunities are shaping Google’s approach to AI in education, offering insights that could influence global strategies.
India: A Crucial Testing Ground for AI in Education
India’s vast and varied education sector presents a compelling environment for testing and refining AI applications. With over a billion internet users, the nation has become the leading global user of Google’s AI tool, Gemini, for educational purposes. This surge in usage is set against a backdrop of state-specific curricula, significant government involvement, and disparities in device availability and internet connectivity.
Chris Phillips, Google’s Vice President and General Manager for Education, highlighted these dynamics during the AI for Learning Forum in New Delhi. Engaging with K-12 school administrators and education officials, Phillips sought feedback on the practical application of AI tools in Indian classrooms.
The scale of India’s education system is staggering. According to the Indian government’s Economic Survey 2025-26, approximately 247 million students are enrolled across nearly 1.47 million schools, supported by 10.1 million teachers. The higher education sector is equally expansive, with over 43 million students enrolled in 2021-22—a 26.5% increase since 2014-15. This vast, decentralized, and resource-diverse landscape poses unique challenges for implementing AI tools effectively.
Tailoring AI Solutions to Local Needs
One of the critical takeaways for Google has been the necessity of customizing AI solutions to fit local contexts. Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, India’s state-level curriculum decisions and active governmental roles require AI tools that empower schools and administrators to determine their usage. This represents a departure from Google’s traditional strategy of developing globally scalable products, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability.
We are not delivering a one-size-fits-all, Phillips stated. It’s a very diverse environment around the world.
This diversity is also influencing Google’s perspective on AI-driven learning methodologies. In India, there’s a rapid adoption of multimodal learning, which integrates video, audio, and images alongside text. This approach caters to students with varying languages, learning styles, and access levels, especially in classrooms where traditional text-based instruction may not be as effective.
Empowering Educators Through AI
Another significant shift in Google’s strategy is focusing AI development on supporting teachers rather than directly targeting students. By creating tools that assist educators with lesson planning, assessments, and classroom management, Google aims to enhance the teacher-student relationship rather than replace it.
The teacher-student relationship is critical, Phillips emphasized. We’re here to help that grow and flourish, not replace it.
In many Indian classrooms, the introduction of AI is occurring in environments without one-to-one device availability or consistent internet access. Google is encountering scenarios where devices are shared among students, connectivity is sporadic, or the transition from traditional methods to AI tools is abrupt. This underscores the importance of designing AI solutions that are adaptable to varying levels of technological infrastructure.
Access is universally critical, but how and when it happens is very different, Phillips noted, highlighting the reliance on shared or teacher-led devices in some schools.
Practical Implementations and Future Prospects
Google is translating its experiences in India into tangible initiatives. These include AI-powered preparation for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) through Gemini, a nationwide teacher training program for 40,000 educators in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools, and collaborations with government institutions on vocational and higher education projects, such as India’s first AI-enabled state university.
For Google, India’s experience serves as a preview of challenges likely to surface elsewhere as AI becomes more embedded in public education systems. Issues related to control, access, and localization—currently prominent in India—are expected to influence how AI in education scales globally.
The Evolving Role of AI in Learning
Google’s efforts also reflect a broader shift in AI usage patterns. While entertainment previously dominated AI applications, learning has now emerged as one of the most common uses, particularly among younger users. As students increasingly turn to AI for studying, exam preparation, and skill-building, education has become a more immediate and consequential arena for Google.
India’s complex education system is also attracting attention from Google’s competitors. OpenAI has established a local leadership presence focused on education, hiring former Coursera APAC Managing Director Raghav Gupta as its India and APAC education head and launching a Learning Accelerator program. Microsoft has expanded partnerships with Indian institutions, government bodies, and edtech companies like Physics Wallah to support AI-based learning and teacher training. This highlights how education is becoming a key battleground as AI companies seek to integrate their tools into public systems.
Simultaneously, India’s latest Economic Survey highlights potential risks associated with uncritical AI use in education. Concerns include over-reliance on automated tools and potential negative impacts on learning outcomes. Citing studies by MIT and Microsoft, the survey noted that dependence on AI for creative work and writing tasks is contributing to cognitive atrophy and a deterioration of critical thinking capabilities. This serves as a reminder that the race to integrate AI into classrooms is unfolding amid growing concerns over how AI shapes learning itself.
Whether Google’s approach in India becomes a model for AI in education elsewhere remains an open question. However, as AI becomes more deeply integrated into public education systems, the challenges and lessons emerging from India are likely to resonate globally, making them difficult for the industry to ignore.
