AI Tutors: Revolution or replacement

Global market for AI in education to hit USD 5.82 billion by 2030

With AI-powered tutors and virtual classrooms gaining ground across India, students may have access to a more personalised and flexible way to learn. But while tech-savvy Gen Z adapts quickly, many educators are sounding the alarm warning that human connection, critical thinking, and emotional growth may be the price we pay for convenience-driven, screen-based education.

Every evening after school, 16-year-old Anaya Reddy from Madhapur, a tech hub in Hyderabad, follows a routine that has become her second nature. She changes out of her uniform, grabs a quick snack, and heads to her quiet study space where her tablet sits waiting. With a tap and a swipe, she is logged into her virtual classroom, a space that looks nothing like her real one, but feels more responsive, more patient, and strangely, more personal. On the screen, a friendly animated avatar comes to life, greeting her by name and instantly pulling up lessons tailored to her recent performance. It knows exactly which math concepts she struggled with last week and which science topics she breezed through.

“It is like having a personal coach who never gets tired. Whenever I am stuck, it explains things differently until I understand. I don’t have to feel embarrassed. I can keep asking questions without anyone judging me,” Reddy tells Media India Group.

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Reddy is part of a growing generation of digital natives who are redefining how education is consumed. As Generation Z demands personalised, tech-driven and flexible learning options, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping classrooms across India and the world. From adaptive learning platforms and intelligent tutoring systems to virtual classrooms powered by machine learning, the education sector is undergoing a seismic transformation.

Across India, students are discovering what the global edtech industry has known for a while: artificial intelligence is not just reshaping education it is personalising it. According to a report by research agency Markets And Markets Research, the global market for AI in education will reach USD 5.82 billion by 2030, reflecting the rapid adoption of intelligent learning tools worldwide.

In India, where educational inequity continues to pose significant challenges, especially in rural and under-resourced areas, AI tutors are emerging as a crucial solution, offering personalised, accessible, and scalable learning experiences that bridge gaps in quality education.

AI-powered tutors, digital platforms that use machine learning to adapt to individual learning styles, speeds and gaps are becoming central to the way Gen Z studies. These tools offer round-the-clock guidance, personalised learning paths, real-time assessments, and even emotional nudges and increasingly, they are being seen not just as supplemental tools, but as primary educators in tech-savvy or underserved households.

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Platforms like Embibe, Khan Academy, Byju’s, Vedantu, and Socratic are leading the charge. Embibe, an Indian platform backed by Reliance, flagship of the Mukesh Ambani conglomerate, uses deep data analytics to customise preparation for board exams, NEET, and JEE. Vedantu, which offers live AI-integrated classes, recently launched its WAVE 2.0 platform, an AI-backed teaching system that tracks student attention, comprehension, and engagement in real time.

In India, where disparities in access to quality education remain stark, AI is increasingly seen not just as a tool but also as a potential equaliser. With internet penetration improving even in rural belts and smartphones becoming ubiquitous, students now have access to customised learning experiences regardless of their geography or economic background.

Insha Rasheed, a Class 10 student from Sujwan in Jammu, who used to feel completely lost in class, especially in math, now studies using Khan Academy’s AI tutor, Khanmigo designed for school students.

“I was too embarrassed to ask questions in front of everyone, so I would stay quiet even when I didn’t understand anything. But with this app, I can repeat a concept as many times as I need. It breaks things down in a way that makes sense to me and it never makes me feel stupid or left behind. It is like having a patient teacher who is always there just for me,” Rasheed tells Media India Group.

Sidelining teachers

While students are embracing AI tutors for their flexibility, speed, and personalised support, not everyone is celebrating the shift. Many teachers are beginning to feel side-lined, watching their traditional roles shrink as intelligent apps take over the core functions of instruction.

“Whether we admit it or not, AI is slowly replacing us. My students used to come to me with doubts or for revision. Now, they say the app explains it better. Some even skip tuition classes because their AI tutor ‘knows what they need’. It is disheartening. We are being reduced to supervisors while the actual teaching happens on a screen. I worry that, in the long run, we are creating a generation that learns alone without the human connection that education is supposed to have,” Meenakshi Rao, a high school science teacher in Delhi, tells Media India Group.

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Rao emphasises that while these tools may help children excel academically, they cannot replace the essential life skills developed in a traditional classroom setting.

“Sure, these apps can give children knowledge they might even help them score higher marks.  But what about values, empathy, communication and teamwork? Those things can’t be taught by a chatbot. A child might know how to solve a math problem, but will they know how to express themselves or work in a group? That’s the real purpose of education, and it’s slowly getting lost in this race for convenience,” Rao adds.