Kerala Welcomes 'Iris' its first generative AI teacher

Kerala school has introduced Iris, a humanoid teacher, marking a significant milestone in the realm of educational technology. Developed in collaboration with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited, Iris represents a pioneering effort to make learning more interactive, engaging, and accessible.

A Futuristic Approach to Education

Located in Thiruvananthapuram, KTCT Higher Secondary School, under the aegis of Kaduvayil Thangal Charitable Trust, has become the first educational institution in Kerala to employ an AI-powered teacher. This initiative stems from the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) project by NITI Aayog, launched in 2021 to enhance extracurricular activities in schools across India.

Iris is designed to be more than just a robotic presence in the classroom; it is a generative AI entity capable of conducting interactive learning sessions. With the ability to communicate in three languages, Iris can tackle a wide array of questions, making it a versatile and invaluable educational tool.

The Capabilities of Iris

The humanoid boasts a range of features aimed at revolutionizing the way students interact with educational content. These include:

Multi-language Communication: Iris can interact in three different languages, offering a more inclusive and accessible learning experience for students of diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Voice Assistance and Interactive Learning: Equipped with voice assistant capabilities, Iris can guide students through lessons, answer queries, and engage in educational dialogues.
Manipulation and Mobility: Iris comes with manipulation capabilities and is mobile, thanks to its wheeled base, allowing it to navigate classroom spaces effectively.
Technology Integration: At its core, Iris integrates robotics with generative AI, powered by a dedicated Intel processor and a coprocessor. This setup enables the humanoid to perform a wide range of teaching tasks.
User-Friendly Interface: An Android app interface allows users to interact with Iris effortlessly, facilitating a customized learning experience that can adapt to the individual needs of students.

The Impact on Education

The introduction of Iris in the educational landscape of Kerala signifies a forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning. By harnessing the power of AI, KTCT Higher Secondary School aims to create a more engaging and effective educational environment. The humanoid teacher stands as a testament to the potential of AI in transforming traditional educational methodologies, making learning not just more enjoyable but also more impactful.

Iris’s deployment underscores the growing influence of AI across various sectors, including education. It highlights how technological advancements can be leveraged to enrich learning experiences, making education more interactive and adaptive to the needs of the digital age.