AI, in these days, is being grasped by everyone especially people in the educational segment.
Mr. Kanak Gupta, Group Director of Seth MR Jaipuria Schools, possesses over a decade’s experience in consultancy and research in the area of globalization, brand building, startups and business practices. He was associated with Jaipuria Institute of Management as Assistant Dean and Professor, he is also a co-founder of Theatrecian, one of the most prolific theatre and cinema groups in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Mr. Gupta shared his valuable insights on AI based teaching.
Q) Do you think technology can replace traditional teaching methods?
A) Technology may be the canvas, but it’s the heart of our educators that paints the masterpiece of learning.
At Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools, we embrace technology as a powerful tool to enrich the educational journey of our students. We strive to integrate cutting-edge resources and digital platforms into our curriculum, empowering both teachers and learners to explore new frontiers of knowledge and creativity. However, we also recognize the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interaction, mentorship, and the nurturing environment that only a dedicated teacher can provide. Students, parents and society are at large need to understand that typically the 21st century skills that we are talking about and the technical skills – which are farfetched for them even at remote geographies. It’s possible through technology.
Our vision is not to pit technology against tradition, but rather to harness the strengths of both to create a dynamic and holistic learning environment. By embracing innovation while honoring the timeless principles of effective teaching, we aspire to cultivate agile, critical thinkers who are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Erudition happens through empathy, engagement, excitement and discarding ego. Where technology meets tradition, innovation becomes the cornerstone of timeless education. 
Q) According to you what more a school’s management can do to train teachers in using AI?
A)Firstly, recognize that the future is here and now, and empathetically understand that two of the most important stakeholders- the parents, and the teachers- are most likely the 80s and 90s kids, who have not been conditioned in their upbringing to be digi-natives; we need to acknowledge and embrace the change. We believe in empowering our educators with the knowledge and skills to harness the transformative power of AI in the classroom. Through comprehensive training programs and professional development workshops led by AI experts, we provide our teachers with the tools and resources they need to explore innovative teaching strategies and enhance learning outcomes. Our commitment to continuous improvement is evident in our collaborative learning communities, where teachers from diverse backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on AI-driven projects.
We understand the importance of mentorship and support in this journey, which is why we pair experienced AI-savvy teachers with those who are less familiar with the technology, fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and mutual encouragement. Moreover, we recognize the value of partnerships with industry leaders and academic institutions, which provide our teachers with access to the latest developments and expertise in AI, enabling them to stay at the forefront of educational innovation.
By prioritizing teacher training in AI and creating a supportive environment that encourages experimentation and continuous learning, we are not just preparing our educators for the future – we are shaping the future of education itself. Together, we aspire to unlock the full potential of AI to create engaging, personalized, and impactful learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning and empower our students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Q) Do you think technology is really enabling students to become participative in class?
A) On November 30, 2022, OpenAI released ChatGPT. And, what happened next is something we all have witnessed and have experienced the excitement. Very much like a global movement, it sparked so many work areas. There has been AI-assisted writing and creation for years, but now, it has become part of dinner table conversations. ‘This would make my job easier’ to ‘this would replace me and I’ll be without a job’ to ‘Is this simply theoretic’ to ‘It’s cool to have a virtual assistant’ are samples of conversations we have all had and continue to do.
The boundary between humans and machines seems to be fading. We’ve often wondered- what is humanity’s proposition? How do we, as humans contribute to our area of work – as an educator, as a businessperson, as a graphic designer, as an accountant, as a podcaster, as a coder and more – when so many of our professional and personal outputs are taken care of by machines? This question has been defining everything I have done over the last 8-odd months. [You may be on Google’s side or that of Netflix, but the Billion Dollar Code nicely talks about how Terra Vision essentially started as a creative and arts project whilst integrating technology for solving a very human problem, a la Google Maps].
Today’s students are attending a time of great innovation. Technological advancements are far outpacing, set norms at Institutions. It’s at times laughable that until very recently, we didn’t think of creating AI policies. The progress and the new tools coming up promise even AI will look very different in the very near future. The humanities prepare students for this world. It’s not important to have only the who and what sorted (as tech can do presently) but focus on the whys and the hows sorted. We need to understand what changes should be made in educational programs to facilitate this integration. 
Q) There’s still a gap when it comes to affordability connected with technology. What’s your opinion on this?
A) The digital divide stemming from affordability issues surrounding technology remains a significant challenge in ensuring equitable access to quality education; however, the good news is that this gap is reducing. I strongly believe that manpower should be the premium asset, not the tools and technology. Economies of scale and adaptability will address this issue in a big way. At Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools, we recognize the importance of addressing this gap to ensure that every student has the opportunity to benefit from the advantages offered by technology.
By leveraging partnerships with technology companies, government initiatives, and philanthropic organizations, we can explore creative solutions to make technology more accessible to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Furthermore, we prioritize the allocation of resources to provide students with access to technology within our school premises. This includes establishing well-equipped computer labs, providing laptops or tablets for classroom use, and ensuring reliable internet connectivity. Additionally, we actively promote digital literacy among students, parents, and communities to maximize the impact of technology on learning outcomes. I am a big believer in technology and scaling up can happen only when we are able to provide access of highest quality of learning to children at what is called dis-advantageous geographic locations. As an edupreneur, I see bulk of growth coming through tier 2 tier 3 cities, and that is where the requirement of education is the most as well. Aspiration level of students here is unbelievable. We feel lucky to be working in these locations. We always suggest that don’t go for complicated solutions when it comes to tech; solve for what is important, available and natural.
Q) How can teachers as well as students can defend cyber crimes, as everyone isn’t tech savvy?
A) Defending against cybercrimes is a shared responsibility, regardless of our technical expertise. We believe in empowering our teachers and students to navigate the digital world confidently and responsibly. We do sessions with too. Through comprehensive cyber security education, we equip them with the knowledge and skills to recognize and mitigate online threats. We foster a culture of vigilance and collaboration, where everyone plays a part in safeguarding our digital environment. By promoting a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, we aspire to create a community that thrives in the face of evolving cyber challenges, ensuring a safer and more secure online experience for all. Together, we embrace the digital age with confidence and resilience, knowing that with the right tools and mindset, we can overcome any obstacle in our path. Gone are the days when schools would put blanket bans on technological tools; that will only make everyone more anxious and unsure. Better to brace ourselves towards keeping up with the times. 
Q) What’s your views if we compare education in your times vs this generation?
A) Journeys can be defined by age and time or even by destinations, as most often they are. And I strongly believe that life’s journey is incomplete without the influx of education. When I was a student, I realized that school is our second home. We spend most of our time in schools and it plays a very important role in moulding and shaping every student for a better future, both academically and personally. Teachers are the guiding lights for students and teachers, who have the passion and interest would definitely find the potential of the student and get him or her to do the best. We’ve entered into education world because of the dream to give progressive education to the society especially in that area where good schools are missing. We’ll always focus on the process and quality of education. I moved back to India after being away for 10 years, and quit the cushioned strategy and consultancy roles by choice; I strongly believe in the cause of education in Tier 2/ Tier 3 cities of the country.
What education does is, ensures that we as human beings, develop the skill that makes us differentiate from other beings on the planet. And the biggest skill there is the ability to take decisions. Taking decisions is important. More important is the ability to take right decisions. And most important is the ability to take the right decisions rightly at the right time. And being literate helps us develop this skill!
Literacy, might be luxury. If luxury is considered as something we can do without, but makes life smoother. But, education is a necessity. Without education, civilization ceases to be civilization. Mere existence is what civilization would be if education was ignored. And today one needs to wake up to the need of education because when a myth breaks, reality exposes severe disillusion. I wish to wake us up by quoting Vivekananda “education is the process by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, and intellect is sharpened, as a result of which one can stand on one’s own feet.” Now, technology is growing at a pace faster than we ever imagined. From muscle-industry, to brain-industry we moved to heart-industry faster than ever before in history. Now is the time of disruption. For AI and tech to succeed, creativity and humanities are key and at the heart of it all. The uncertainty is absolutely invigorating, and it can be stressful. The only certainty is uncertainty. Let us equip ourselves and our students for the future. An uncertain, ambiguous world where no actions are contained, and no details are insignificant, needs us to be agile, whilst a lot of outcomes and algorithms of technologies are based on certainties.
Q) How do you stay updated on the latest advancements and trends in AI to keep your curriculum relevant?
A) Education is independent of institution. Education is more of a self awareness, a collective communication for distribution of collective responsibility. I am a strong believer in collaboration. Through proactive engagement with industry leaders, academic experts, and professional networks, we tap into the latest trends and insights shaping the field of AI. Our partnerships with leading institutions and thought leaders empower us to infuse our curriculum with forward-thinking approaches that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in our students.
