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Educators across Karnataka are reimagining the future of learning — with AI as a powerful ally. Principals describe how AI can personalise lessons, bridge learning gaps, and free up time for deeper student engagement. Whether it’s robotics labs, smart panels, or AI-driven assessments, schools are already exploring new possibilities. Deccan Herald in Education (DHIE) spoke to principals and educators who are embracing this shift. Amidst the excitement, one belief stands firm: while AI can support learning, the emotional connection and mentorship of teachers remain irreplaceable.
Suresh Kumar Kundur, Principal, Ananth International School, Hassan
Students must learn to ask the right questions
No matter how advanced AI becomes, it can never replace a teacher. Emotional intelligence is more important than artificial intelligence. Only a teacher can understand a child’s emotions and teach in a way that suits them — not just deliver content. From class 3 onwards, we’ve introduced robotic classrooms to give students hands-on exposure to AI. But before students can use AI effectively, they must learn to ask the right questions — the five Ws and H. That’s where a teacher’s role becomes vital. If we can do that, that’s more than enough.
Suresh Kumar Kundur,
Principal,
Ananth International School, Hassan
Kiran Kumar Kulkarni, Principal, Chandrakant Patil Public School CBSE, Kalaburagi
AI can transform classrooms — if you’re willing to stay involved
AI has made learning more visible, more engaging, and more personalised. It helps children observe, absorb, and understand concepts better — especially when used through audiovisual tools. We once installed smart panels only in all our A- section classes to test their impact. Everything else was the same — same teachers, same syllabus, same kind of students. By midterm, the students of class A sections clearly outperformed other classes. Even slow learners in A passed comfortably, while similar students in B were still struggling. That made it clear: the tool itself was the differentiator. But here’s what most people forget — follow-up. You can introduce the best technology, but if you don’t track how it’s used, support your teachers, and stay involved, it won’t work.
Kiran Kumar Kulkarni,
Principal,
Chandrakant Patil Public School CBSE, Kalaburagi
Niraja Srinivasan, Principal, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Ulsoor
AI can support — but never replace human judgment
In a regular classroom, we rely on lecture methods. But AI can bring concepts to life — when students see rather than just hear, they remember better. Smart boards, for example, can help bridge learning gaps. But even with AI, the human touch is irreplaceable. A machine can give you information, but it can’t judge what’s important for a child at a specific age. It can’t understand what should be said and what should be left unsaid. That’s where a teacher’s role becomes essential. AI may rule the world one day, but without a human behind it, it’s just a tool. Even in the future, I believe we’ll use AI, but we will never depend on it 100%.
Niraja Srinivasan,
Principal,
Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Ulsoor
Sumalini B Swamy, Director & Principal, Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education, Bengaluru
Technology can guide — but only a teacher can inspire
I believe AI can help identify learning gaps early, before children fall behind. That would be a game changer for inclusive education. Schools must start building digital readiness — by training teachers, upgrading infrastructure, and encouraging a mindset of innovation. We must treat AI as a collaborator, not a replacement, and embed ethics and responsibility into how we use it. Ten years from now, AI classrooms may have intelligent tutors, emotion-sensing systems, even virtual reality. But one thing should never change — the human connection. Empathy, encouragement, and mentorship are irreplaceable. Technology can guide — but only a teacher can truly inspire.
Sumalini B Swamy,
Director & Principal,
Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education, Bengaluru
Parimala LK. Principal, Seshadripuram Public School, ICSE, Yelahanka
AI should be introduced with a purpose
A fundamental understanding of AI is no longer optional — it’s becoming essential. As technology reshapes how we live, work, and learn, schools must proactively equip students and educators to engage with AI meaningfully. At our school, we’ve launched robotics and AI-based labs, along with coding and machine learning programs. My dream is a future where every school has a dedicated AI lab — a space where students clarify doubts, spark curiosity, and explore global careers. In one such session, they saw themselves as future scientists, teachers, and astronauts — and their eyes lit up. AI can visualise their dreams. But only teachers can bring them to life.
Parimala L K,
Principal,
Seshadripuram Public School, ICSE, Yelahanka
Pranav Shetty, Managing Trustee, G M Global School, Brahmavara
AI should be used creatively
AI gives students more than just one-line answers — it opens up a broader perspective. AI allows children to explore concepts deeply, while platforms for generating images or videos help teachers bring ideas to life visually. That’s a big shift from the days when we had to rely on whatever images we could scrape from Google — often not quite what we wanted. In our school, we’ve subscribed to premium AI platforms so that teachers can generate customised videos and visuals. It’s not just about saving time — it’s about making content engaging. When students see something unique on screen, their attention naturally goes to that teacher. So yes, AI helps speed up lesson planning, but more importantly, it helps us move beyond chalk-and-talk. The more creatively a teacher uses AI, the more effectively they can hold a child’s focus.
Pranav Shetty,
Managing Trustee,
G M Global School, Brahmavara
Nancy Syntika, AVP-Zonal Academics & Principal, ORCHIDS The International School, Sahakarnagar
AI gives feedback, teachers give meaning
What excites me most about AI is its ability to personalise learning for every student — something a single teacher can’t easily do in a large classroom. AI can identify each child’s strengths, struggles, and pace, offering customised feedback that keeps them challenged without feeling overwhelmed. At Orchids, we’re already beta testing AI-powered math worksheet evaluations. We’re also experimenting with voice-to-text audio analysis of teachers’ lessons to offer feedback at scale. In the future, AI-integrated robots may monitor progress, adjust content, and tailor assessments in real time. But even with all that, one thing should never change — the teacher’s emotional presence. AI can analyse, guide, and automate, but it can’t replace the motivation and mentorship a human offers. A teacher’s encouragement remains essential. We must build schools where AI supports the system — not substitutes the soul.
Nancy Syntika,
AVP-Zonal Academics & Principal,
ORCHIDS The International School, Sahakarnagar
Fr Rejeesh Puthiyaparambil, Principal, Christ CMI Public School, Gundlupete
AI can suggest solutions, but not build relationships
AI tools like ChatGPT give students access to everything — facts, answers, even examples. That’s why today’s children often feel they don’t need teachers. But this is also where I see the biggest limitation. What about emotions? What about the student who’s struggling with loneliness, coming from a broken home, or missing parental support? No AI can give them care or comfort. It may suggest solutions, but it cannot build a relationship. The bond between teacher and student — that human connection — cannot be replaced by a screen or algorithm. As teaching methodologies evolve, schools must adapt. Yes, we can integrate AI into the curriculum, but we must also strengthen counselling, empathy, and personal support. Education is not just about information — it’s about presence. And no matter how advanced technology becomes, students will always need someone who listens, understands, and genuinely cares.
Fr Rejeesh Puthiyaparambil,
Principal,
Christ CMI Public School, Gundlupete
Mahendra M N, Principal,Nypunya School of Excellence, Mysuru
Less planning time, more student time
I don’t ask teachers to use AI from start to finish — even using it in just one phase of the lesson is enough. For example, they might use it to design activities for different types of learners — visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or read-and-write. What excites me most about AI is its speed. It generates activities and lesson hooks in seconds — something that even a well-meaning teacher may struggle to do quickly. When teachers save time in planning, they can invest more time in personalising feedback, correcting notebooks, improving handwriting, or simply talking to the child.
Mahendra M N,
Principal,
Nypunya School of Excellence, Mysuru
Manamohan Naik K G, Principal, S D M English Medium School, Ujire
AI can only inform, but students must experience
I’ve seen education evolve from memorisation to competency-based learning. Today’s students are born into a digital world — they question more, and they access information faster. That’s why teachers must upgrade their thinking, not just their methods. AI is a great support — it helps teachers plan lessons, access content, and save time. But AI is not meant to replace anyone. The real challenge is: students now copy answers directly from AI tools without understanding them. So teachers must design tasks that require experience and expression. For example, don’t just tell them what filtration is. Let them pour a sand-and-water mix into a funnel and watch it separate. That memory will stay. The goal is not just giving answers — it’s creating learning moments.
Manamohan Naik K G,
Principal,
S D M ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL, UJIRE
Ritu Chauhan, Director & Senior Principal, MEGA International School, Bengaluru
AI helps manage content, conduct, and covenant
AI is a game-changer. It empowers teachers to manage all three components of a classroom: the content, the conduct, and the covenant — the relationship and trust built with students. Ten years from now, I see AI-powered classrooms as flexible learning spaces where content and assessment adapt to each learner’s profile. Instructions will be personalised, data-driven, and seamless. But one thing will not change: the presence of a facilitator. The human touch is irreplaceable.
Ritu Chauhan,
Director & Senior Principal,
MEGA International School, Bengaluru
Shanthi Menon, Founder & Principal, The Deens Academy, Bengaluru
AI assists, but teachers connect
One of the biggest challenges AI can solve is helping teachers meet every learner’s needs — something that’s tough to juggle in a traditional classroom. Schools must start exposing staff and students to AI-enabled processes and smart learning environments. Five years from now, I see classrooms with AI-driven assessments, administrative automation, and students engaging in self-directed learning. But one thing won’t change — the emotional quotient a teacher brings. That human presence, physically and emotionally, remains central to a student’s growth. AI can assist learning. But it can’t replace human care.”
Shanthi Menon,
Founder-Principal,
The Deens Academy, Bengaluru
Vidya Guruprasad, Principal, Ryan International School, Kundalahalli
No AI can replace a teacher’s presence
AI will make concept visualisation easier — something conventional teaching often struggles with. It will also help passive learners clarify doubts without hesitation, especially those who might stay silent in class. But for this to work, schools must invest in training teachers to evolve with the times. We must sensitise teachers, students, and parents — AI is powerful, but it has limits. In the future, books may be replaced with AI-powered tools, exams could go paperless, and even the blackboard might become obsolete. But one thing will never change: the presence of a teacher.
Vidya Guruprasad,
Principal,
Ryan International School, Kundalahalli
Bukkapatanam Srinivas, Secretary Trustee & Adminstrator, Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel Memorial Primary & High School, Shahabazar, Kalaburagi
AI can offer a safe space to learn
Many students hesitate to ask questions in class, even when they have doubts. AI can quietly support them by helping them clarify concepts at home, in private. That emotional barrier — the fear of questioning a teacher — is real, and AI can offer a safe space to learn without judgement. But the problem isn’t just with children. Even teachers hesitate to ask or learn new tech. Before I introduce AI to my staff, I need to learn it myself. I’m nearly 60, and I know it takes effort — but if it helps students, I’ll make the time. We plan to show children how AI can support their growth and make learning more accessible.
Bukkapatanam Srinivas,
Secretary Trustee & Adminstrator,
Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel Memorial Primary & High school, Shahabazar, Kalaburagi
Tahir Ali, Director, Mount Litera Zee School, Kalaburagi
AI can personalise — but only teachers can truly connect
Earlier, students had to open multiple books to find answers — now, AI can deliver that knowledge instantly. We even developed our own app, which helps teachers and parents make learning deeper and more interactive. But while AI can support with routine tasks and content delivery, it can never replace a teacher. A teacher mentors, motivates, and manages emotional and social growth — something no AI can do. Five years from now, I see AI helping build personalised learning journeys with real-time insights, even in remote classrooms. But it’s not about replacing schools — it’s about AI and teachers working together to elevate education.”
Tahir Ali,
Director,
Mount Litera Zee School, Kalaburagi
Neeta Purohit, Principal, Kenbridge School, Kalaburagi
AI should support learning, not substitute thought
Students today instinctively turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for help — and that’s fine, as long as they learn to personalise the output and make it their own. AI should support learning, not substitute thought. That’s what I tell my students: take the points, but express them in your own voice. We’re using AI-enabled platforms like Class Saathi and sensor-based smart boards in our school, and we’ve also introduced robotics and AI workshops. Teachers use AI to design lesson plans, find activities, and create better content — but the heart of education still lies in the classroom bond.
Neeta Purohit,
Principal,
Kenbridge School, Kalaburagi
Rekha Kurup, Principal, Jubilee English High School, Bengaluru
AI can guide — but bonds make school special
One key challenge AI could help address is the unrealistic pressure some parents place on children, expecting them to excel in every field, regardless of individual strengths. Schools are upgrading their infrastructure and training staff to use AI tools effectively — but these tools should enhance the learning journey, not replace the emotional and social bonds children form at school. If overused, AI might affect a child’s emotional development. Ten years from now, I see classrooms with smart assistants and AI-led support, but one thing must remain unchanged: the joy of human connection. School should be about friendships, mentorship, and memories — not just screens and data.
Rekha Kurup,
Principal,
Jubilee English High School, Bengaluru
AI is reshaping how students learn, offering personalised support and new ways to engage with knowledge. But the heart of education will always be human. Teachers inspire, guide, and understand children in ways no technology can. In the end, it’s the human connection that turns learning into something meaningful and lasting.