Our Approach to AI in Learning, and How Students in India are Embracing the Future

Editor’s note: We’ve published a paper on AI and the Future of Learning outlining Google’s approach in building AI to help improve learning outcomes for everyone. You can check out our global blogs here.

Curiosity and the desire to learn are human nature. Throughout history, new technologies—from the printing press to the internet—have reshaped how we learn. Today, through the growth of AI, we’re at the start of the next big step. This transformation is already happening, and we're seeing it play out with incredible energy in India.

Bringing the best technology to every student has always been core to our mission. Earlier this year, we rolled out the Google AI Pro student offer, and over 2 million students across India now have access to our most advanced AI tools at no cost for the next year. In fact, India is home to Gemini's largest global user base of 18-24 year-olds.

A Google-Kantar report found that 95% of Gemini student users in India reported feeling more confident, using the app for diverse use cases ranging from academic help to preparing for a first job interview. This impact extends across our products; in Google Search, for example, education is one of the top use cases for AI features like Lens and AI Mode in India. We’re also seeing high local interest in NotebookLM which helps students study better by turning their own sources into quizzes, flashcards, or immersive audio and video experiences.

AI and the Future of Learning

We've just published our position paper, "AI and the Future of Learning," which outlines our approach to building AI learning tools that help improve learning outcomes for everyone. It details how we are thinking about the big, complex questions around building AI that is thoughtful, responsible, and a powerful companion for learning, while mitigating challenges.

Our goal at Google isn’t to replace the essential human elements of learning, but to support educators and make learning more effective and engaging. The Internet helped people access information. AI can help them understand and apply it. To realize this potential, AI learning tools must help learners cultivate deep understanding, not just deliver quick answers. They must ignite curiosity and engage learners in a process of discovery.

That's why our tools for learning are purpose-built and grounded in best-in-class learning science. LearnLM, our family of our world-class Gemini-based models for learning, is rooted in pedagogical principles and developed in partnership with learning experts to unlock the next generation of learning. Infused with LearnLM, Gemini 2.5 Pro is the world’s leading model for learning.

A prime example of these tools is Guided Learning in the Gemini app. Grounded in learning science, this feature doesn’t just provide the solution; instead, it acts as a tutor, guiding learners with step-by-step hints and open-ended questions to help them find the answer themselves. This approach pivots students from simple answer retrieval to strategic problem-solving.

We’re thrilled to see India emerge as the top country using Guided Learning, with interesting trends.

• Students are engaging in long, multi-turn conversations, going deeper into topics and using Gemini like a personal tutor.
• They’re using it to prepare for diverse topics, from advanced physics and STEM subjects to acquiring practical skills like programming languages or developing creative talents.
• They’re engaging in multimodal and multilingual ways — often switching between English and local languages and uploading images of complex problems — to master advanced topics.

This desire for deep learning—not just information retrieval—is a powerful indicator of how these tools are helping to build the critical thinking and synthesis skills of the future. AI is transforming what they learn and how they learn.

We’re committed to making high-quality, adaptive learning accessible at scale—from the earliest days of Search and YouTube to our latest work building advanced models like LearnLM.

We’re channeling our efforts to bring these features to everyone, not just a privileged few. In India this means making these tools available in multiple Indian languages. Today, students are able to access these tools in the language of their choice, with Gemini and NotebookLM’s features available in 10 Indian languages, and AI Mode in Search available in 8 Indian languages within a few months of its launch.

As we continue to build on the principles in our paper, we are incredibly excited to support this generation's curiosity and help shape a future where AI is a powerful and responsible partner for every learner.

Note: You can check out more about our learning tools and features across Gemini, NotebookLM, and Search to give your learning journey a powerful boost.