KTCT Higher Secondary School in Kallambalam, Kerala, has introduced a groundbreaking addition to its teaching staff: Iris, the first AI teacher in the region. Developed as part of an initiative supported by the Atal Tinkering Lab, Iris is an innovative AI-based educator designed to enhance the learning experience for students. With a grant of Rs 20 lakh from the Central Government, this private, unaided school has established the necessary infrastructure to integrate cutting-edge technology into its educational framework.
During a recent demonstration, students engaged with Iris, posing questions and observing its responses. Clad in a silk saree, the humanoid AI teacher, named Iris, demonstrated its ability to comprehend and respond to inquiries from students. Equipped with generative AI technology, Iris can convert voice inputs into text and vice versa, facilitating seamless communication with students. Despite occasional challenges such as network disruptions and classroom noise, Iris efficiently provides informative answers, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
Students, including eighth-grader Abhijith, have been actively involved in the development of Iris, collaborating closely with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited. As the project progresses, plans are underway to enhance Iris’s interactivity by equipping it with visual recognition capabilities. This evolution aims to personalize the learning experience further, allowing Iris to identify individual students and tailor responses accordingly.
Principal Meera Suresh highlights the enthusiastic response from students, particularly those in lower kindergarten, who appreciate Iris’s patient and knowledgeable demeanor. However, she emphasizes that Iris serves as a complement to traditional teaching methods rather than a replacement. While Iris excels in delivering factual information across various subjects, it lacks the emotional intelligence and personal touch inherent in human teachers.
The development of Iris underscores the school’s commitment to innovation in education. With the support of the management and additional funding, the Atal Tinkering Lab has become a hub for technological exploration and learning. Through participation in state-level events and festivals, the school has earned recognition and resources, enabling it to pioneer initiatives like Iris that bridge the gap between traditional teaching and modern technology.
Looking ahead, the school plans to integrate dedicated periods for technology-based learning into its curriculum, ensuring that students receive comprehensive exposure to emerging fields like artificial intelligence. By nurturing student interest and capability in technology, KTCT Higher Secondary School aims to prepare its students for success in an increasingly digital world.