AI is ending assignments at IITs: IIT Kanpur director on the future of education
Manindra Agarwal, Director of IIT Kanpur, discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on education during an interview with India Today Digital. He argued that traditional assignments are becoming less relevant due to AI's ability to perform these tasks efficiently. Instead, he emphasized the need for educational reforms that focus on problem-solving, originality, and skills suited for a technologically advanced world. Agarwal highlighted the importance of mathematics in both theoretical computer science and emerging fields like bioinformatics, suggesting a growing integration of mathematical methods into biological sciences. His insights reflect broader trends in academia regarding the role of AI in transforming educational practices and research methodologies.
Around 26% of government school teachers in India use artificial intelligence (AI) regularly, and 72% hold a positive view of AI in education, according to a report titled AI Readiness of India’s Government School Teachers, released by JanAI, an initiative of the Head Held High Foundation (HHHF). The findings were published on Tuesday, just before the planned introduction of an AI and computational thinking curriculum for Classes IX to XII during the 2026-27 academic year. The national survey, conducted across 797 government schools, revealed that teachers in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra are integrating AI into their teaching practices despite existing infrastructure challenges. According to the report, teachers are using AI primarily as a teaching aid, with common applications including simplifying complex concepts, generating examples and activities, and creating worksheets and assessments. Many teachers access AI tools via personal mobile devices, even in schools lacking dedicated computer labs. While the majority of teachers expressed optimism about AI’s potential, concerns arose regarding over-reliance on the technology. The report noted that 86% of teachers believe AI enhances their effectiveness but also raises the risk of increased student dependence on the technology. However, few teachers viewed AI as a direct threat to their roles, with most stating they did not fear replacement by AI in the classroom. The survey was conducted between August 6 and 14, and JanAI emphasized that it represents the first comprehensive study focused solely on government school teachers, distinguishing them from broader surveys that include private school educators. The initiative aims to address perceived gaps in systemic support for AI integration in education. JanAI plans to establish a network of 50,000 rural AI teacher champions within the next 12 to 18 months. These individuals would serve as local change agents, trained and organized to assist peers in adopting AI technologies effectively. Madan Padaki, founder of JanAI and co-founder of HHHF, stated that teachers are already utilizing AI tools and are awaiting systemic support to ensure responsible implementation. Separately, discussions on AI’s impact on higher education continue. At the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), AI is transforming traditional educational practices. IIT Kanpur director Manindra Agrawal highlighted how AI is diminishing the relevance of conventional assignments as measures of student understanding, suggesting a shift toward emphasizing problem-solving and originality in assessment strategies. Meanwhile, industry leaders are grappling with the practical application of AI. Sandhya Arun, Chief Technology Officer at Wipro, acknowledged ongoing challenges faced by companies in extracting tangible benefits from AI technologies. Despite advancements, realizing measurable outcomes from AI implementations remains a complex task for many organizations.
3 reports
The HinduIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/1/2026
A report by JanAI, an initiative of the Head Held High Foundation, reveals that around 26% of government school teachers in India use AI regularly, and 72% hold a positive view of AI in education. Conducted across 797 government schools, the survey highlights that teachers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra are adopting AI despite infrastructure challenges. While 86% of teachers believe AI enhances their effectiveness, they also note increased student dependence on technology. The report emphasizes that readiness, not resistance, is the key factor in AI adoption among government teachers, leading to plans for training 50,000 rural AI 'teacher champions' over 12–18 months.
Bias read (Center): The article presents balanced findings regarding AI adoption by government teachers, highlighting both benefits and concerns without overtly favoring any political stance. It reports on the readiness of educators and the planned initiatives without taking a clear ideological position.
Why factuality (85): The article reports findings from a survey conducted by JanAI across 797 government schools, citing specific percentages of teachers using AI and their perceptions. It provides details on regional adoption and usage patterns, aligning with the cross-source consensus that AI is being adopted in gover
Why objectivity (80): The article presents the survey findings in a balanced manner, discussing both the benefits and concerns of AI among teachers. While it highlights potential over-dependence issues, it does not take a strong editorial stance or show bias toward any particular viewpoint.
India TodayIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 708/29/2026
Manindra Agarwal, Director of IIT Kanpur, discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on education during an interview with India Today Digital. He argued that traditional assignments are becoming less relevant due to AI's ability to perform these tasks efficiently. Instead, he emphasized the need for educational reforms that focus on problem-solving, originality, and skills suited for a technologically advanced world. Agarwal highlighted the importance of mathematics in both theoretical computer science and emerging fields like bioinformatics, suggesting a growing integration of mathematical methods into biological sciences. His insights reflect broader trends in academia regarding the role of AI in transforming educational practices and research methodologies.
Bias read (Center): While the discussion centers on educational reform and the influence of AI, the article presents a balanced view of the challenges and opportunities posed by AI in academia. It does not overtly favor one ideological stance over another, focusing instead on expert opinions and institutional responses
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports on IIT Kanpur director Manindra Agarwal's statements regarding the role of AI in education, citing his background and contributions to mathematics and computer science. It references his work on the AKS primality test and his views on AI's impact on education. The info
Why objectivity (70): The article presents a positive view of AI's potential in education, emphasizing its benefits and the need for rethinking traditional assessment methods. While it provides balanced insights into the implications of AI in education, there is a slight editorial tilt towards highlighting the transforma
Wipro's Chief Technology Officer, Sandhya Arun, discusses the challenges companies face in extracting tangible value from artificial intelligence. She highlights issues such as lack of clear strategies, insufficient data quality, and limited expertise in deploying AI solutions effectively. The conversation underscores the gap between AI investment and measurable outcomes, suggesting that many organizations are still in the early stages of adopting AI technologies. Arun emphasizes the need for more focused approaches and better integration of AI into core business processes.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a discussion on corporate challenges with AI implementation without overtly favoring any political ideology. It focuses on industry-specific issues rather than taking a partisan stance. The framing remains neutral, focusing on expert commentary rather than advocacy for specific政
Why factuality (60): The article only mentions a statement by Wipro CTO Sandhya Arun without providing additional context, methodology, or supporting data. This limits the ability to assess the accuracy of the claim. The lack of detailed information reduces the reliability of the factual content.
Why objectivity (70): The article is brief and focuses on a single quote without elaborating on the broader implications or context. While it doesn't overtly take a side, the limited scope may suggest a selective focus on a particular perspective.
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