India’s emergence as a confident voice in artificial intelligence marks an important national milestone. At New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, global leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators have acknowledged India’s growing capabilities and potential. The atmosphere has been one of aspiration and pride. A country once described mainly as the world’s back office now seeks to help shape the architecture of a new technological era.

That ambition deserves appreciation. Yet, as Abraham Lincoln cautioned, one must not follow an idea merely because the majority does; one must follow what is right. For India in the age of AI, what is right is not only leadership in innovation, but leadership in inclusion.

The paradox is striking. Even as India speaks the language of algorithms and advanced computing, a majority of its children study in government schools that struggle with uneven learning outcomes and limited resources. For millions of families, public education is not a matter of preference but of economic necessity. If the AI revolution unfolds only in elite private classrooms, the distance between privilege and poverty may deepen quietly but decisively.

India’s school system reflects a layered reality. At the top are well-resourced private institutions experimenting with digital tools and advanced learning platforms. At the base lies a vast public network that carries the aspirations of rural and lower-income urban India. Teachers in these schools often demonstrate dedication and resilience, yet they work within constraints—large class sizes, administrative responsibilities and shortages of subject specialists. The issue........

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