Kundavai Arivudainambi raised pre-seed funding from a Google Fellow, a VP at Silicon Valley, and a school founder. 

She blends her tech expertise and passion for education to transform learning through AI-powered Mixed Reality games.

INDIAai interviewed Kundavai Arivudainambi to get her perspective on AI.

What inspired you to bridge computer science and education to create Eduzo's innovative AI Gaming model?

Education as an industry needed an innovative push to help kids learn to understand. Content is abundant on the internet. What needs to be improved is a desire to learn and an understanding of what they learn. At Eduzo, we wanted to be the pioneers pushing the boundaries of education via Innovation. For the first time in the history of education, Kids will become the characters of the game and experience learning through interaction with our AI-based Mixed reality games. 

Can you walk us through the process of developing the AI model that transforms lessons into games? What were some key milestones?

We transform your lesson plans into games. All you have to do is provide the topic you want to teach and the questions you want to ask. Our AI model will transform into mixed-reality games. Our key milestone is that we have attained a patent for it. 

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while launching Eduzo, and how did you overcome them?

One major challenge was onboarding customers from Tier C cities with older laptops incompatible with our technology. Seeing schools struggle with outdated equipment was disheartening. However, the dedication of these schools to upgrade their systems, often at significant cost, was profoundly moving. This commitment inspired us to develop a mobile app, ensuring no child is left behind due to technology constraints. Their belief in our vision motivates us to work harder every day.

How have teachers and students responded to Eduzo's gaming model in the classroom? Could you share some memorable feedback?

The response has been extraordinary. One memorable moment was when a teacher thanked me for engaging students who were usually non-participative. She shared how their exam scores had significantly improved, which was incredibly inspiring. This genuine feedback motivated us to research how our product enhances learning, and we'll be publishing a white paper soon to share these insights.

How do you see the role of AI and gamification evolving in education over the next decade?

We have a very responsible role to play by using technology in Education in the right direction for the next Decade. Gaming is such a powerful medium as it involves interactivity and can greatly reward kids to learn. At the same time, one must be extremely cautious about addiction and screen time. 

AI can be a powerful tool for gaining insights into a child's strengths and weaknesses, which is impossible in a 1:30 classroom. This is called the two-sigma problem. Finally, AI can make 1:1 personalised learning possible, knowing every child's strengths and weaknesses through interaction. 

Have you observed any specific student engagement or academic performance improvements since implementing this technology?

Many schools have adopted Eduzo as a teaching medium, much like blackboards. On average, each class spends about 4 hours using our platform, enabling interactive 1:1 learning in a 1:30 classroom setting. We've seen significant growth in students' learning outcomes across various developmental milestones. Our games are mapped to the New Education Policy's 68 curriculum goals, helping schools measure outcomes effectively. All assessments are conducted through our AI-based games, producing precise, error-free report cards.

What ethical considerations do you keep in mind when designing AI-driven educational tools?

We blend physical movement with digital gameplay to avoid prolonged screen time. In classrooms, teachers control the app usage.

We take utmost care in building these games, as we hold equal responsibility for what we show and how we show the content. Considering personalised learning through AI, we will cautiously collect only the necessary data to improve learning. We will strictly adhere to Data protection laws across different countries. The goal is to provide kids with unbiased, safe, and fun learning experiences. 

As a female leader in tech and education, what advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter these fields?

Success in entrepreneurship requires the same qualities regardless of gender, but female leaders may face more societal judgments. Having the right intention along with perfect execution, one can achieve and grow beyond obstacles. Education and health care are part of the service industry, and one needs to approach it with compassion and genuine passion to bring change rather than being a cutthroat business person. Being a female leader in education makes it a powerful combination, as women are more empathetic and compassionate by nature.