Oakridge Gachibowli brings Hyderabad’s school leaders together to decode AI in education

India’s education sector is witnessing a steady, though uneven, push towards digital and AI-enabled learning. According to recent data from the Ministry of Education (MoE)1, computer access in schools rose from 57.2 % in 2023–24 to 64.7 % in 2024–25, while internet connectivity increased from 53.9 % to 63.5 % in the same period.
At the same time, higher educational institutions are increasingly embracing AI as a core element of teaching, assessment and campus operations. A 2025 survey2 found that over 60 % of HEIs permit student use of AI tools; around 53 % use generative-AI to develop learning materials, while many institutions deploy AI-based tutoring systems and adaptive learning platforms.

These trends reflect a broader push under policy frameworks such as the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which emphasises digital learning, virtual labs, and technology-driven pedagogy. However, despite progress, significant challenges remain: many schools, especially government-run ones, lack functional digital infrastructure, and disparities persist in access, resources, and readiness for AI adoption.

Hence, the conversations among educators and policymakers are increasingly no longer just about “should we use AI?” but “how should we do it?” The focus is shifting to responsible integration: ensuring data privacy, maintaining academic integrity, safeguarding student well-being, and balancing technology use with human-centered pedagogy.

Leading with AI in practice: A Hyderabad conference on the future of schooling

An educational institution in Hyderabad recently convened a city-wide conference aimed at navigating these very issues. The conference, titled ‘Leading with AI: Shaping the Future of Education’, was organised by Oakridge International School, Gachibowli, and brought together senior leadership from schools across the city. The goal was to explore how AI can be used meaningfully and responsibly to transform teaching, learning, and school leadership.

At the conference, Dipika Rao, Principal of Oakridge International School, Gachibowli, shared insights on how school teams approached the subject, “We explored leadership in the context of our school, with staff diving deeper into their roles, reflecting, setting intentions and actions to make leadership more visible across school. We focused on AI in education, the myths, realities, anxieties, and how to use AI sustainably while keeping data protection, organic thinking, and student safety in mind.”

The event featured a high-impact keynote and workshop by international leadership coach Ann Palmer, who guided delegates through practical frameworks on AI-enabled leadership, change management, and preparing students for an AI-powered future.

The conference further emphasised the evolving responsibilities of school leaders. As Dipika Rao added, “In this changing framework of AI, leaders need to develop skills to steer the community safely while incorporating AI practices in school. Collaboration between industry and schools can replace fear with enthusiasm and positivity as we walk into the future together.”

Designed as a working forum rather than a conventional seminar, the conference gave delegates the opportunity to understand global trends in AI in education and their implications for Indian schools, explore real classroom use cases spanning personalised learning, assessment, and data-informed decision-making, reflect on ethics, wellbeing and safeguarding considerations around use of AI in schools, network and collaborate with peers on shared challenges and opportunities.

A highlight of the conference was Ann Palmer’s session on meaningful AI leadership, where she urged school leaders to move beyond viewing AI as a “tool” and instead treat it as a catalyst for rethinking pedagogy, leadership culture and school operations. Delegates explored how AI can support differentiated instruction, reduce teacher workload in planning and assessments, and help schools design more intentional student wellbeing strategies.

Reflecting on this, Ann Palmer noted, “The key is recognising the potential that AI brings along. As lead learners, we have to understand its capabilities and embrace technology now. I hope Oakridge will adapt and evolve its leadership within the AI framework to be the leaders in the education fraternity. I’ve chosen to come to Oakridge because they have fabulous staff and considerable potential, and I look forward to seeing how leadership training transforms practice and impacts children, leaders, parents, and everyone in the school.”

The conference also highlighted Oakridge Gachibowli’s journey toward AI readiness, with purposeful use of digital tools to personalise learning and support student growth. Platforms such as Raz-Plus, ManageBac, Turnitin, Revision Village, New Scientist, CPOMS, JSTOR and JCS Online are integrated across year levels to build literacy, track progress, encourage academic honesty, support wellbeing, and connect learners to global resources.

With Leading with AI: Shaping the Future of Education, Oakridge Gachibowli has taken a step in convening Hyderabad’s education leaders around a shared agenda, ensuring that AI serves as a force for deeper learning, greater inclusion, and future-ready skills for every child.

Reference:

1. https://educationforallinindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PIB-UDISEPlus-2024-25-Press-Release-August-28-2025.pdf
2. https://www.ey.com/en_in/newsroom/2025/10/over-half-of-indian-heis-adopt-ai-policies-as-gen-ai-transforms-teaching-and-learning

Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Oakridge International School by Times Internet’s Spotlight team.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!