||

Connecting Communities, One Page at a Time.

Integrating AI in education transforms learning, making it accessible and inclusive for every student: Anuvadini AI CEO

“AI in education holds the potential to bridge the urban-rural divide, promoting diversity of thought and driving academic success across India,” says Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Executive Officer of Anuvadini AI, an initiative of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Prabhav Anand 17 December 2024 05:43

Dr Chandrashekhar Buddha, Chief Executive Officer, Anuvadini AI, an initiative of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Dr Chandrashekhar Buddha, Chief Executive Officer, Anuvadini AI, an initiative of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

In the continuously evolving field of Indian education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly playing a pivotal role in transforming how students learn, particularly in overcoming language barriers. Chandrasekhar Buddha, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anuvadini AI, an All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) initiative, shared valuable insights on this transformation in a recent interview with Education Post’s Prabhav Anand. Anuvadini AI’s core mission is to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in education by providing tools that allow seamless translation of educational content into 22 Indian languages and 24 foreign languages. This aligns with the National Education Policy’s (NEP) emphasis on multilingual education, aiming to bring high-quality learning materials to students in underserved regions.

AI-powered platforms like Anuvadini AI offer personalized learning experiences and break down language barriers that have historically limited students’ access to knowledge, especially in rural areas. For example, tools such as "Chutki" and "Bujji" allow real-time translations of documents and multimedia content, empowering students to engage with academic material in their mother tongues. This not only improves comprehension but also fosters innovation by allowing learners to explore subjects more deeply.

The collaboration between Anuvadini AI and regulatory bodies like AICTE, University Grants Commission (UGC), and National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) further solidifies the integration of AI in India’s educational framework. With over 1,000 books already translated into multiple languages, the initiative demonstrates how AI can democratize education, making it more inclusive and aligned with regional needs. As Buddha highlights, AI in education holds the potential to bridge the urban-rural divide, promoting diversity of thought and driving academic success across India. The positive outcomes from case studies and early feedback showcase the transformative impact AI can have on students’ learning experiences, particularly those from linguistically diverse and rural backgrounds.

Anuvadini AI, an initiative of AICTE (Source: web/AnuvadiniAI)

Q. Could you share with us the vision and objectives of integrating AI in the Indian education system? How do you see AI transforming the accessibility and quality of education in the coming years?

The vision behind integrating AI into the Indian education system is to make education more inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to the diverse needs of students. Anuvadini AI aims to break language barriers by offering books, audios, videos, & research papers in 22 Indian languages, which directly aligns with the National Education Policy's focus on multilingualism. Over the next few years, AI will help deliver personalized learning experiences, democratize access to quality education, and make learning resources available to underserved regions. By using Anuvadini AI tools, students can engage more deeply with their subjects, while teachers can use data to tailor instruction and improve student outcomes.

Q. Multilingualism is a major focus of the National Education Policy. How do you believe promoting education in regional languages will impact students’ overall academic performance and innovation, especially in rural areas?

Promoting education in regional languages significantly enhances student engagement and understanding, particularly in rural areas where students may struggle with Hindi or English as the primary mediums of instruction. Multilingual education, powered by tools like Anuvadini AI, enables students to access academic content in their native language, increasing both confidence and creativity. Learning in their mother tongue allows students to grasp concepts more deeply, ultimately leading to better academic performance and fostering innovation. Regional language education also plays a key role in preserving cultural heritage and promoting diversity of thought.

Tools like Anuvadini AI play a crucial role in making education accessible by translating academic content into 22 Indian and 24 foreign languages. This removes language barriers, allowing students to participate fully in the learning process. By learning in their mother tongue, students are better equipped to perform academically and contribute innovative ideas, helping bridge the urban-rural education gap.

Furthermore, multilingual education helps preserve India's rich linguistic and cultural heritage while promoting diversity in thought. It encourages students to think critically and creatively in a language they are comfortable with, driving innovation in fields like agriculture, commerce, and scientific research. Through AI-powered translation tools like Anuvadini AI, the goal of enhancing both educational quality and accessibility across India's diverse linguistic landscape is well within reach.

Q. Collaboration with regulatory bodies like AICTE, UGC and NCERT is crucial for educational initiatives. Could you discuss the role of these partnerships in fostering a more inclusive and diverse educational landscape?

Collaboration with regulatory bodies like the AICTE, UGC (University Grants Commission) and NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) is essential in shaping an inclusive and diverse educational landscape, particularly in a linguistically diverse country like India. These partnerships help integrate advanced AI-driven tools such as Anuvadini AI into the educational framework in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP). By working hand in hand with AICTE, UGC and NCERT, AI tools like Anuvadini AI support the creation of region-specific content and ensure that educational materials meet national standards while being accessible in multiple regional languages.

Anuvadini AI has successfully translated and drafted over 250 books for AICTE, 100+ books for NCERT, and 721 books for NIMI (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship). A key innovation is the world's first tool that allows bulk document and image translation and editing, making it easier to handle massive volumes of educational content at once. Anuvadini AI can instantly translate bulk documents & books into 22 regional Indian languages and 24 foreign languages—removing language barriers and making learning accessible to all.

In addition to bulk document translation, Anuvadini AI’s book translation feature allows seamless content translation, enabling students, teachers, and researchers to translate books in real time. This significantly reduces the time needed to make educational content available in 22 regional Indian languages and 24 foreign languages, promoting a more inclusive learning environment where students can engage with academic material in their native languages for better comprehension and improved learning outcomes.

For example, Anuvadini AI Chutki allows seamless translation of educational documents and multimedia content into 22 regional Indian languages and 24 foreign languages, ensuring that linguistic diversity is no longer a barrier to education. This promotes a more inclusive learning environment where students, especially from rural areas, can engage with academic content in their native languages, leading to better comprehension and learning outcomes.

Moreover, such collaboration helps develop targeted resources for teacher training and curriculum development, making education more adaptable to regional contexts. This coordinated effort not only enhances inclusivity but also promotes innovation, as students are better equipped to understand complex concepts in their mother tongues, fostering creativity and academic growth.

Furthermore, partnerships with regulatory bodies help implement AI solutions that support the diverse learning needs of students, such as Anuvadini AI Bujji, which preserves the formatting of educational documents while translating them, and SpeakPic, which generates copyright-free visual content for enhanced learning. These initiatives, endorsed by bodies like UGC and NCERT, ensure that India’s educational system becomes more inclusive, diverse, and innovative, reflecting the core values of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Q. Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being integrated into educational platforms. Can you explain how AI is used to facilitate learning, particularly in addressing language barriers or providing personalized learning experiences?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the educational landscape by enhancing learning experiences, particularly in addressing language barriers and providing personalized learning solutions. One of the most significant impacts of AI is its ability to bridge linguistic gaps in a multilingual country like India. Tools such as Anuvadini AI facilitate the seamless translation of educational content into regional languages, making academic materials accessible to students who may struggle with Hindi or English as mediums of instruction. By supporting 22 Indian and 24 foreign languages, Anuvadini AI ensures that students can learn in their native tongues, improving comprehension and engagement, especially in rural areas.

AI-driven platforms like Chutki and Bujji also offer personalized learning experiences by allowing students to interact with content through multiple modes, such as text, voice, and visual input. Chutki, for instance, enables real-time translation of lengthy academic texts, including math equations and special characters, allowing students to explore subjects at their own pace. Similarly, SpeakPic, an AI-powered tool, helps generate copyright-free images using voice or text inputs, promoting creativity and enhancing visual learning.

Anuvadini AI further enhances the learning experience by offering advanced video, audio, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) translation capabilities, ensuring that multimedia content can be translated seamlessly across multiple languages. This comprehensive feature enables educators and students to interact with various formats of educational content without language being a barrier.

For video translation, Anuvadini AI allows users to transcribe and translate video lectures, tutorials, and educational clips into 22 Indian and 24 foreign languages. Whether it's a classroom recording or an online course, the tool preserves context and meaning while making the content accessible to students in their native language.

In terms of audio translation, Anuvadini AI can handle podcasts, lectures, and audio-based learning materials, converting them into text and translating them into any supported language. This feature is particularly beneficial for audio-centric learners or those who prefer consuming information via audio, enabling them to learn without limitations posed by language differences.

The OCR translation feature of Anuvadini AI stands out by enabling the extraction and translation of text from images, scanned documents, handwritten notes, and posters/ banners. Whether it's a scanned textbook page, a research paper, or handwritten notes, the tool accurately identifies the text, translates it into the desired language, and preserves the original formatting, including mathematical equations, diagrams, and special characters. This feature is especially valuable for digitizing and translating older educational materials, ensuring that historical and printed academic resources are accessible to students and educators in a linguistically diverse environment.

By integrating video, audio, and OCR translation capabilities, Anuvadini AI makes it easier for students and educators to access a vast array of educational content, breaking down language barriers and promoting a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment.

AI algorithms are further utilized to create personalized learning paths for students by analyzing their learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses. These adaptive learning systems can provide tailored educational content, assignments, and assessments, ensuring that each student receives support according to their unique needs. This approach helps in addressing learning gaps, ensuring that students of varying abilities can progress at their own pace.

Q. With the rise of AI-based educational tools, what early data or feedback have you received on their effectiveness in enhancing student outcomes? Are there any specific metrics or case studies that have been particularly promising?

Early feedback on AI-based tools like Anuvadini AI has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly for its ability to enhance comprehension among students who previously struggled with language barriers. The platform has received accolades for enabling seamless translation of educational content into native languages, greatly benefiting students in rural areas.

Case studies have demonstrated that when students were provided with academic materials in their native languages, they showed significant improvements in engagement, comprehension, and retention. For example, in rural regions where language posed a significant challenge, students who accessed translated content reported increased confidence in learning. Metrics such as test scores, participation in class, and teacher feedback reflected a positive shift in learning outcomes.

Anuvadini AI’s voice-based multilingual forms are a game changer, particularly for students in rural areas where language barriers often prevent full participation in educational processes. This feature allows students to fill out forms in their native languages by simply speaking. After selecting their preferred language, the form presents questions in that language, and students can respond using voice input, providing answers in their chosen language.

This voice-based functionality significantly boosts accessibility for students who may struggle with written communication, ensuring they can participate in administrative tasks, surveys, or assessments without the need for proficiency in Hindi or English. By eliminating language- related challenges in form-filling processes, more students from rural areas are able to complete enrollment and registration forms with ease, leading to higher enrollment rates and increased participation in educational programs.

The ease of using voice commands in local languages encourages more accurate form submissions, reducing errors and frustration for students unfamiliar with official or non-native languages. As a result, the inclusion of voice-based forms not only supports a more inclusive educational experience but also encourages more students to enroll in programs they might have otherwise found inaccessible due to language barriers. This ultimately fosters a broader reach and greater educational inclusion in linguistically diverse regions across India.

Q. What are the main technological and infrastructural challenges you've encountered in implementing AI-driven educational solutions across such a diverse country? How do you plan to overcome these barriers?

In implementing AI-driven educational solutions like Anuvadini AI across India's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape, several technological and infrastructural challenges have emerged. One primary issue is the significant variation in technology access among students, particularly in rural and remote areas where internet connectivity may be sporadic or unavailable. This gap creates barriers to utilizing advanced AI tools effectively.

Additionally, the multilingual nature of India poses challenges in developing AI systems that can accurately translate and adapt content across numerous regional languages. Ensuring that the AI understands and respects the nuances of each language and dialect is crucial for providing quality educational resources.

To overcome these barriers, Anuvadini AI is actively working on several strategies. First, it aims to enhance offline capabilities, allowing students in low-connectivity areas to access educational content without relying solely on the internet. Second, partnerships with local educational institutions and government bodies will facilitate infrastructure improvements, such as providing reliable internet access and digital devices in underserved regions.

Furthermore, continuous collaboration with linguistic experts and educators will ensure that the AI’s language processing capabilities are robust and culturally relevant. By focusing on these areas, Anuvadini AI strives to create a more inclusive and effective educational environment for all students across India.

Q. India’s goal is to provide educational content in regional languages over the next few years. Can you share the progress on this front and any specific targets that have been achieved or are in the pipeline?

Anuvadini AI has made significant strides in supporting India's goal of providing educational content in regional languages. The platform has successfully translated a wide array of educational materials into 22 regional languages, ensuring that students from diverse linguistic backgrounds can access and comprehend essential academic content. This initiative is particularly crucial for students in rural areas, where proficiency in Hindi or English may be limited.

In terms of specific progress, Anuvadini AI has collaborated with educational institutions and regulatory bodies like NCERT to align its content with national curriculum standards, thereby enhancing the quality and relevance of translated materials. The platform has also introduced features that allow users to seamlessly translate lengthy documents and textbooks, further facilitating the learning process.

Looking ahead, Anuvadini AI is working on expanding its language offerings to include additional dialects and regional languages to cater to an even broader audience. There are plans to launch pilot programs to evaluate the impact of these translations on student engagement and academic performance. Overall, Anuvadini AI is positioned to play a pivotal role in transforming India's educational landscape by promoting inclusivity and accessibility through regional language education.

Q. In your opinion, how does offering competitive exams in multiple languages influence students' preparation and performance, especially for those from non-English speaking backgrounds?

Offering competitive exams in multiple languages has greatly benefited students from non- English speaking backgrounds. Anuvadini AI is contributing by translating preparatory material into regional languages, leveling the playing field for students who may not be proficient in English. This multilingual approach reduces the cognitive load on students, allowing them to focus more on the content of the exam rather than struggling with the language of instruction. As a result, students are better prepared, and we’ve seen improvements in exam scores, particularly in rural areas.

Q. How do you incorporate feedback from students and educators to improve AI-based platforms? Could you share any examples where feedback led to significant platform enhancements?

Student and educator feedback is crucial to improving AI-based platforms. At Anuvadini AI, we regularly collect user feedback to fine-tune the translation models and improve user experience. For instance, after receiving input that technical terms in science and mathematics weren’t accurately translated in certain languages, we enhanced our AI algorithms to better handle subject-specific jargon. These improvements have led to greater accuracy and higher user satisfaction. The iterative feedback loop ensures that the platform continuously evolves to meet user needs.

Q. Beyond education, AI has applications in various sectors. Can you discuss any partnerships or initiatives where AI is being used in fields like agriculture, healthcare, banking, insurance, manufacturing, defense/ security, or governance to drive innovation and development?

AI is making transformative contributions across multiple sectors, with initiatives like Anuvadini AI addressing multilingual needs in agriculture, healthcare, governance, and education.

Agriculture: Anuvadini AI supports farmers by offering multilingual platforms where they can access vital information about crop management, pest control, and market trends in their native languages. This enables farmers to make informed decisions, boosting productivity and sustainability. By breaking down language barriers, Anuvadini AI empowers rural communities with the knowledge they need to improve farming practices and enhance livelihoods.

Healthcare, Banking, Insurance, & Governance: In healthcare, Anuvadini AI is instrumental in bridging communication gaps between patients and providers, especially in rural areas where language differences can lead to misunderstandings. By providing voice-enabled multilingual forms, patients can easily fill out medical forms in their regional languages, accurately communicating their medical histories and needs. This capability enhances the quality of care and fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers. Additionally, Anuvadini AI facilitates the translation of medical records and health education materials, improving overall patient comprehension and satisfaction.

Similarly, in the banking and insurance sectors, Anuvadini AI enhances customer service by offering multilingual support. By enabling customers to access information and complete forms in their preferred languages, the platform helps reduce confusion and ensures that clients fully understand the terms and conditions of financial products. This is particularly vital in regions with diverse linguistic populations, empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions. Anuvadini AI also aids in translating critical documentation, such as policy details and account statements, further promoting transparency and accessibility in financial services.

Anuvadini AI plays a critical role in governance by enhancing public service delivery through multilingual access. Citizens can complete government service forms in their preferred languages, ensuring equal access to important resources and information. Collaborating with government agencies, Anuvadini AI helps translate key documents, public notices, and educational materials, promoting transparency and civic engagement among diverse linguistic communities.

Manufacturing: In the manufacturing sector, Anuvadini AI enhances communication and efficiency by providing multilingual support, ensuring that workers from diverse linguistic backgrounds can understand operational procedures, safety guidelines, and quality control standards. By facilitating the translation of training materials and manuals, it improves onboarding for new employees, enabling them to grasp complex concepts in their native languages. Real-time multilingual communication allows for quick issue resolution and collaboration among teams, while translated quality control checklists and compliance documents help maintain industry standards. Additionally, multilingual labels and instructions ensure that workers can easily identify materials and equipment, fostering a safer and more efficient workplace. This technology further bolsters productivity by enabling instant translation of spoken or written language, which is crucial for coordinating tasks among multilingual teams during meetings, training sessions, and daily operations. For instance, when a supervisor gives instructions in one language, Anuvadini AI can instantly translate those instructions into the native languages of the workers present, ensuring that everyone understands their tasks without delay. Moreover, real-time translation facilitates customer interactions and support, allowing manufacturers to engage effectively with clients and partners from different linguistic backgrounds, ultimately contributing to improved collaboration, efficiency, and overall operational success.

Comprehensive real-time detection & alert systems: Advanced comprehensive real-time detection & alert systems provide significant benefits in education, particularly during examinations by improving cheating detection, seating management, and surveillance:

• Cheating Detection:

o Real-Time Monitoring: Detects suspicious behavior such as unauthorized device use

or paper swapping, automatically flagging potential cheating.

o Object Detection: Identifies prohibited items like smartphones or notes, triggering instant alerts.

• Seating Management:

o Automated Verification: Ensures students are seated according to the seating plan, preventing unauthorized seat swapping.

o Occupancy Tracking: Monitors empty or occupied seats, maintaining proper seating arrangements.

• Surveillance:

o 360-Degree Monitoring: Provides continuous real-time surveillance, flagging suspicious activity in large exam halls.

o Immediate Alert: The real-time alert will be sent to the admin after instant detailed analysis if cheating claims arise, ensuring accountability.

These tools create a secure, efficient exam environment, upholding academic integrity and ensuring fair testing.

Through these diverse applications, Anuvadini AI is driving innovation across sectors while ensuring that AI’s benefits are inclusive, accessible, and tailored to meet the multilingual needs of all communities.

Also Read

    Latest News

    Also Read


    Latest News

    Loading ...