UP Class 12 student’s AI ‘robot teacher’ Sophie goes viral, sparks debate

A Class 12 student from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, has developed an AI-integrated teaching robot named Sophie. Seventeen-year-old Aditya Kumar, a student at Shiv Charan Inter College, showcased Sophie in a classroom demonstration, which garnered widespread attention after being recorded and shared online.

In the video released by news agency ANI, Sophie introduces herself and invites students to ask questions. When quizzed about India’s first President, she accurately responds with “Dr. Rajendra Prasad” and identifies Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister. The interaction received commendation from both students and teachers.

Although called a ‘robot’, experts note that Sophie functions more like a mannequin connected to a voice assistant powered by advanced AI technologies, rather than an autonomous humanoid robot. Aditya explained that he used a chipset commonly employed by major robotics companies to facilitate communications between Sophie and an AI model hosted online.

Current constraints mean Sophie can only speak, but plans are in development for her to expand her capabilities. Aditya emphasized the need for proper laboratory facilities in educational institutions to support such innovative projects.

The popularity of Sophie’s demonstration reflects a growing interest among Indian students in AI and robotics.

• Why it matters: This project exemplifies student-led innovation and highlights the importance of AI in education, potentially influencing future curriculum developments.
• This initiative could encourage other students to engage with technology and robotics, fostering a generation of tech-savvy innovators.

• The latest: This effort follows Kerala’s recent introduction of ‘Iris’, India’s first generative AI-powered teacher developed to enhance educational experiences.