Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way students learn, teachers teach, and schools function. From personalised learning platforms to automated grading systems, AI has entered classrooms in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. While these tools can make education more inclusive and efficient, they also raise important questions about access, fairness, and the protection of students’ rights. One of the biggest concerns is whether AI-driven education will strengthen or weaken the fundamental right to education, especially for students in disadvantaged communities.
I chose to write about this topic because AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is already shaping how children across the world experience learning. In India and beyond, governments and schools are exploring AI to address teacher shortages, improve exam preparation, and provide customised study material. But at the same time, issues of affordability, bias in AI tools, and unequal access to technology are becoming more visible.
This discussion matters because education is not just about acquiring skills; it is a right that must remain free from discrimination. By looking closely at how AI and the right to education intersect, we can ask critical questions about equity, accountability, and the future of learning.
AI in Classrooms: Promise and Potential
AI is already making education more interactive and accessible. Some areas where it is proving useful include:
- Personalised learning: Adaptive platforms suggest lessons based on each student’s pace.
- Support for teachers: AI can help reduce workload through automated assessments.
- Accessibility tools: Speech-to-text, translation, and screen readers aid differently-abled learners.
- Predictive analysis: Early detection of students at risk of dropping out.
Concerns About Equity and Access
While AI can improve learning, it also deepens the digital divide if not handled carefully.
- Cost factor: Many AI tools are expensive, limiting access for poorer schools.
- Bias risks: Algorithms can unintentionally favour certain groups of students.
- Privacy issues: Collection of student data without strong safeguards is a growing worry.
- Dependence on technology: Over-reliance may reduce the role of human teachers.
Linking AI to the Right to Education
The right to education, recognised under global frameworks and India’s Constitution, guarantees equal, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities for all. For AI to support this right:
- Governments must ensure access to affordable technology for rural and low-income schools.
- Developers must design AI tools that are transparent, bias-free, and aligned with educational goals.
- Teachers and parents need training to use AI responsibly without replacing human interaction.
