Shikshasaathi: Giving Voice to Learning in Kannada
Shikshasaathi is an AI-powered learning companion that helps students in Karnataka learn academic concepts through natural voice conversations—in Kannada. Designed to feel more like a friendly tutor than a tool, Shikshasaathi listens to students’ questions, explains topics in simple language, and encourages curiosity through interactive dialogue. For learners who struggle with English or written content, it opens a new, more intuitive path to understanding—making education more accessible, personal, and empowering.
Learning Beyond the Written Word
In many classrooms across Karnataka, students struggle to connect with learning materials that don’t speak their language—literally. Despite growing digital access, the absence of high-quality educational tools in Kannada remains a silent barrier. Shikshasaathi was born from a simple idea: what if students could talk to a teacher who listens, understands, and explains—in their own language?
Bridging Gaps with Conversation
For students unfamiliar with English or formal textbooks, learning often feels distant. We needed to design not just a tool, but a learning companion—one that could:
Speak and understand Kannada naturally.
Clarify academic concepts conversationally.
Engage students beyond static content.
The challenge? Building a voice-first AI that felt more like a friend than a bot.
Designing with Empathy and Language at the Core
We built Shikshasaathi as an AI-powered, voice-first tutor, purposefully designed for Kannada-speaking learners. At its heart:
A voice interface that encourages dialogue, not just answers.
Custom-trained Kannada language models tuned for curriculum-level topics.
Adaptive responses that adjust based on how a student interacts.
A simple, accessible interface that works even in low-resource settings.
Every word, prompt, and tone was tested with students—making sure the voice felt familiar, encouraging, and clear.
From Curiosity to Confidence
The response was immediate and telling. Students who were once hesitant to ask questions found a safe space in Shikshasaathi. Learning became an exchange, not a monologue. Concepts clicked faster. Confidence grew.
Key outcomes:
Improved conceptual clarity and recall.
Higher engagement compared to traditional tools.
Broader accessibility for rural and underserved learners.
Reimagining the Role of Technology in Local Learning
Shikshasaathi isn’t just another edtech tool. It represents a shift in how we think about inclusive learning:
Voice is the new interface—especially for first-generation learners.
Local languages matter—deep understanding only happens when ideas are heard in a student’s first language.
AI, when humanized, can foster curiosity rather than replace teachers.
What’s Next
With Kannada as a starting point, we’re now exploring how this voice-first model can scale to other Indian languages and subjects—paving the way for a multilingual, multimodal learning future powered by AI and empathy.
Learning Beyond the Written Word
In many classrooms across Karnataka, students struggle to connect with learning materials that don’t speak their language—literally. Despite growing digital access, the absence of high-quality educational tools in Kannada remains a silent barrier. Shikshasaathi was born from a simple idea: what if students could talk to a teacher who listens, understands, and explains—in their own language?
Bridging Gaps with Conversation
For students unfamiliar with English or formal textbooks, learning often feels distant. We needed to design not just a tool, but a learning companion—one that could:
Speak and understand Kannada naturally.
Clarify academic concepts conversationally.
Engage students beyond static content.
The challenge? Building a voice-first AI that felt more like a friend than a bot.
Designing with Empathy and Language at the Core
We built Shikshasaathi as an AI-powered, voice-first tutor, purposefully designed for Kannada-speaking learners. At its heart:
A voice interface that encourages dialogue, not just answers.
Custom-trained Kannada language models tuned for curriculum-level topics.
Adaptive responses that adjust based on how a student interacts.
A simple, accessible interface that works even in low-resource settings.
Every word, prompt, and tone was tested with students—making sure the voice felt familiar, encouraging, and clear.
From Curiosity to Confidence
The response was immediate and telling. Students who were once hesitant to ask questions found a safe space in Shikshasaathi. Learning became an exchange, not a monologue. Concepts clicked faster. Confidence grew.
Key outcomes:
Improved conceptual clarity and recall.
Higher engagement compared to traditional tools.
Broader accessibility for rural and underserved learners.
Reimagining the Role of Technology in Local Learning
Shikshasaathi isn’t just another edtech tool. It represents a shift in how we think about inclusive learning:
Voice is the new interface—especially for first-generation learners.
Local languages matter—deep understanding only happens when ideas are heard in a student’s first language.
AI, when humanized, can foster curiosity rather than replace teachers.
What’s Next
With Kannada as a starting point, we’re now exploring how this voice-first model can scale to other Indian languages and subjects—paving the way for a multilingual, multimodal learning future powered by AI and empathy.