Google.org Backs Rocket Learning's AI Tutor 'Appu' to Revolutionize Early Childhood Education in India

Google.org Backed Rocket Learning Launches AI Tutor Appu

Appu was built in six months with technical assistance from Google.org Fellows and a $1.5 million grant awarded in 2023. Delhi-based Rocket Learning launched 'Appu,' an AI-powered tutor designed to provide personalised and conversational learning experiences for children aged 3 to 6 on Wednesday. Developed with support from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the tech giant, the startup aims to reach 50 million families by 2030, beginning with Hindi and expanding to 20 other languages, including Marathi and Punjabi. While Appu is already being piloted, Rocket Learning plans for wider adoption in Anganwadi centers and government-run preschools. The company, founded in 2020, is led by Azeez Gupta, Vishal Sunil, Namya Mahajan, Siddhant Sachdeva, and Utsav Kheria. The organisation uses technology to bridge learning gaps in early childhood education. Gupta, a Harvard Business School graduate, co-founded the startup with the mission of democratising learning. Sunil, the company's CTO, has been recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 for his contributions to education technology. "Appu is the future of learning -- AI-driven, intuitive, and designed to evolve," said Sunil. "We see adaptability as our greatest strength and personalization as the catalyst for unlocking every child's potential. With 85% of brain development happening by age six, early childhood education is the next frontier in human capital." The AI tutor was built in six months with technical assistance from Google.org Fellows and a $1.5 million grant awarded in 2023 under the AI for Global Goals Impact Challenge. Appu leverages LLMs to deliver real-time, engaging lessons focused on pre-literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills. According to the National Sample Survey 75th Round report (2022), more than 40 million children in India lack access to quality preschool education, with many struggling with basic literacy and numeracy by the second grade. Rocket Learning is looking to bridge this gap through AI-based training, among other initiatives. Annie Lewin, Senior Director at Google.org, emphasised the significance of the project and said, "We look forward to seeing how this innovation helps shape the future of learning, as they scale their work to 20 additional languages." Beyond its immediate impact on education, Rocket Learning's initiatives, including Appu, are projected to contribute $4 billion in lifetime value to India's economy. Earlier this year, Google.org launched its Generative AI Accelerator program with a $30 million budget. The initiative aims to support nonprofit organisations leveraging generative AI to create widespread impact. The six-month program offered technical training, Google Cloud credits, and pro-bono assistance from Google employees, along with a share of the $30 million funding.

Rocket Learning unveils 'Appu' multilingual AI-powered tutor for early education

Rocket Learning announced the launch of Appu, an AI-driven tutor designed to offer conversational and personalized learning for children aged 3-6 across India. This initiative focuses on addressing the critical need for early childhood education. Appu AI-powered multilingual tutor Appu supports a multilingual learning experience, starting with Hindi and expanding to 20 other regional languages, including Marathi and Punjabi. Rocket Learning emphasized that the platform is accessible freely on all screens, ensuring widespread reach. It offers: Targeting Preschool Education Gaps Rocket Learning highlighted that more than 40 million children in India lack access to quality preschool education. Additionally, many second-grade students face challenges in basic literacy and numeracy. To address these issues, Appu focuses on school readiness skills such as pre-literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning like greetings and introductions. Leveraging Advanced AI Appu uses advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) for complex reasoning tasks, ensuring speed and efficiency in learning. Thousands of children are currently piloting the tool, and the platform is expected to reach 50 million families, including Anganwadi centers and preschools nationwide, by 2030. Backed by Google.org Rocket Learning noted that the platform was developed in just six months with the support of a $1.5 million grant awarded in 2023 as part of the AI for Global Goals Impact Challenge. Google.org Fellows provided pro bono technical expertise, which significantly aided in building Appu. Economic Impact Rocket Learning added that Appu and other educational initiatives are projected to generate $4 billion in lifetime value for India's economy by benefiting their current cohort of 3 million children. The funding also supported the development of an AI-powered grading system for 50,000 daily homework assignments. A Collaborative Endeavor Rocket Learning highlighted the collaborative effort with Google.org through a six-month Google Fellowship program, where Google employees worked pro bono to contribute to the platform's development. The unveiling of Appu took place at The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, and saw attendance from dignitaries, government stakeholders, education experts, and entrepreneurs. Speaking about Appu, Vishal Sunil, Co-Founder and CTO of Rocket Learning, says, Appu is the future of learning -- AI-driven, intuitive, and designed to evolve. Adaptability is our greatest strength, and personalization is the key to unlocking every child's potential. With 85% of brain development occurring by age six, early childhood education is the next frontier in human capital. Appu aims to elevate India's IQ, maximize its demographic dividend, and bridge the AI divide, ensuring equitable access to quality learning. Commenting on the initiative, Annie Lewin, Senior Director at Google.org, said: At Google.org, we are committed to harnessing AI's potential to drive systemic impact, and early education is a key area of focus. We deeply value Rocket Learning's dedication to this mission and are proud to support Appu, an AI-powered tutor developed in just six months through close collaboration with our Google.org Fellows. We look forward to seeing how this innovation transforms learning as Rocket Learning expands its reach to 20 additional languages.

Rocket Learning, with Google.org's support, launches Appu, an AI tutor for personalized early learning, to reach 50M families by 2030

Appu provides a multilingual, conversational learning experience for children (ages 3-6), starting with Hindi and expanding to 20 other languages, including Marathi and Punjabi Rocket Learning's 'Appu' and other educational solutions are projected to contribute $4 billion of lifetime value to India's economy, by impacting their existing cohort of 3 million children. Appu was built in six months, with support from a team of Google.org Fellows and a $1.5M grant awarded in 2023 Rocket Learning announced today the launch of Appu, an AI-powered learning companion offering a conversational and personalised learning experience for children aged 3-6 in India. The launch event at The Ashok, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, saw attendance from government stakeholders, education experts, and entrepreneurs, including Smt. Savitri Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; Ms. Arkaja Das, Director, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India; Ms. Nina Badgaiyan, Senior Specialist at ADB; and Mr. Wilson White, Vice-President, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google. Currently, more than 40 million children[1] in India lack access to quality preschool education, and many second-graders struggle with basic literacy and numeracy. Developed with pro bono technical assistance from Google.org Fellows, Appu is designed specifically for early childhood education. It is freely accessible on all screens and focuses on essential school readiness skills, including pre-literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills such as greetings and introductions. The product leverages advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) for complex reasoning tasks, speed, and efficiency. Appu is being piloted by thousands of children and is expected to reach 50 million families by 2030, including government-run Anganwadi centers and pre-schools nationwide. Vishal Sunil, Co-Founder and CTO, Rocket Learning, says, "Appu is the future of learning -- AI-driven, intuitive, and designed to evolve. We see adaptability as our greatest strength and personalization as the catalyst for unlocking every child's potential. With 85% of brain development happening by age six, early childhood education is the next frontier in human capital. Appu is designed to elevate India's IQ, maximise its demographic dividend, and bridge the AI divide." Azeez Gupta, Co-Founder, Rocket Learning mentioned "We're grateful for the support from Google.org and the Fellows, who helped us bring this vision to life. Appu and Rocket Learning's initiatives could contribute $4 billion[2] of lifetime value to India's economy -- but more importantly, they're set to redefine learning for the next generation." Annie Lewin, Senior Director at Google.org, said: "At Google.org, we're committed to making AI's benefits and capabilities more accessible in areas where they can drive systemic impact. Early education is one such key area. We value Rocket Learning's dedication to this space and are proud to support its AI-powered tutor, developed over six months through close collaboration between Rocket Learning and our team of Google.org Fellows. We look forward to seeing how this innovation helps shape the future of learning, as they scale their work to 20 additional languages." In 2023, Rocket Learning received a $1.5 million grant from Google.org as part of the AI for Global Goals Impact Challenge to develop AI-powered educational solutions. This funding supported the development of a machine-learning system that automates grading for 50,000 homework assignments shared daily. As part of Google.org's support, a group of Google employees joined a six-month Google.org Fellowship program, working full time, pro bono with Rocket Learning to help build Appu.