Around 26% of government school teachers use AI regularly and 72% feel positive about it: Report

A recent report from JanAI, an initiative of the Head Held High Foundation, indicates that 26% of government school teachers in India regularly employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their teaching, with a strong 72% of these educators harboring positive sentiments towards AI's role in education. The report, titled "AI Readiness of India’s Government School Teachers," was released on Tuesday and predates the planned implementation of an AI and Computational Thinking curriculum for Classes IX to XII in the 2026-27 academic year.

The nationwide survey encompassed 797 government schools and revealed that despite infrastructure limitations, AI adoption is occurring across the country, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra. Teachers are leveraging AI through personal devices such as smartphones, even in schools lacking computer labs.

The primary applications of AI, as identified by teachers, include simplifying complex concepts, generating examples and activities, as well as creating worksheets and assessments.

While acknowledging the potential benefits, teachers also recognize the risks associated with AI. An overwhelming 86% of surveyed teachers believe that AI enhances their effectiveness in the classroom, yet they express concern that it fosters an unhealthy dependence on technology among students. Importantly, teachers do not view AI as a threat to their profession, with the majority asserting they do not see it as a replacement for their role.

The report, compiled between August 6 and 14, is noteworthy for being the first study specifically focused on government-school teachers rather than being included in a broader national average that also covers private school teachers. JanAI's central finding suggests that the main barrier to AI integration is not resistance but rather the need for readiness among educators.

In response, JanAI plans to cultivate a community of 50,000 rural AI teacher champions over the coming 12-18 months. Their strategy involves identifying, training, and organizing rural government-school teachers to serve as local AI advocates.

Madan Padaki, founder of JanAI and co-founder of the Head Held High Foundation, posited that government-school teachers are proactive in adopting AI tools without waiting for external persuasion. Instead, they seek a supportive system to guide them in using AI responsibly. Padaki emphasized that readiness among teachers is not a deficiency that must be addressed from above; rather, it is an existing strength that requires proper structure.