Published on October 9, 2025
Delhi, India
The fifth edition of EDNxT Chennai 2025, organized by The Economic Times Education, successfully concluded on September 19, 2025, at the Taj Wellington Mews in Chennai. Under the theme “The Education Transformation: AI, Access & Acceleration,” the summit gathered over 200 education leaders, policymakers, innovators, and industry experts to deliberate on leveraging technology for inclusive and future-ready schooling and higher education.
- Key Highlights:
- Featured inaugural addresses, panel discussions, expert talks, and an exhibition showcasing edtech solutions.
- Emphasized bridging the digital divide through policy, pedagogy, and AI integration.
- Honored legacies like that of Sri K. Kamaraj for foundational education reforms in Tamil Nadu.
Key Speakers and Their Contributions
The event boasted a lineup of influential voices from government, academia, and industry, each sharing actionable strategies for education evolution.
- Thiru R.N. Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu: Served as chief guest, inaugurating the summit and delivering an inspiring address on AI’s transformative potential.
- Thiru Kranthi Kumar Pati, IAS, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation: Spotlighted the state’s prowess in skilling initiatives and higher education metrics.
- Prof Dr M Krishnan, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Tamil Nadu: Explored AI’s role in fostering inclusive learning ecosystems.
- Lakshmi Narayanan, Chancellor, KREA University: Advocated for AI as a “personal mentor” in adaptive, interdisciplinary programs.
- Other Notables: Included Pushpalata Pooranan (Director, Pushpalatha Schools) on values-based curricula, Ravishankar Pillai (Chairperson, The American International School) on experiential learning, and Nagasamy Suresh Dinesh (Director, Jayapriya Vidyalaya) on curiosity-driven education. Additional insights came from Dr Regeena Jeppiaar Murali (Jeppiaar University), Dr Ch Preeti Reddy (Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth), and Prof K M Baharul Islam (IMT Hyderabad).
Major Themes and Discussions
Sessions delved into the synergy of AI, policy, and innovative teaching to accelerate equitable education, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020’s vision for entrepreneurial and skill-focused learning.
- AI in Education: Debates on integrating generative AI for personalized pathways, research, and assessments while addressing ethical concerns.
- Access and Equity: Strategies to extend quality education to marginalized groups, including government schools and rural areas, via digital tools.
- Acceleration of Skills: Focus on niche sectors, gig economy readiness, and interdisciplinary curricula to prepare students for AI-disrupted job markets.
- Curriculum Reinvention: Shift from rote memorization to self-directed, experiential models emphasizing culture, values, and real-world projects.
Session Highlights and Initiatives
Interactive panels and talks provided practical takeaways, with on-site demonstrations and collaborations driving immediate impact.
- Government Leadership Session: Tamil Nadu’s top rankings in Gross Enrolment Ratio, NIRF institutions, and PhD output were celebrated, alongside plans for AI workforce preparation.
- AI-Driven Inclusive Learning: Collaborations like those at Central University of Tamil Nadu aim to expand AI tools for diverse learners.
- Personalized and Experiential Learning: KREA University’s adaptive programs and American International School’s project-based approaches were showcased as models for creativity enhancement.
- MOU Signing: A pivotal partnership with Bentley Systems was inked on the EDNxT platform to develop AI-enabled learning tools and smart infrastructure for employability.
- Exhibition Stalls: Institutions like Omega International School and Shikshaa Group highlighted edtech innovations, drawing Governor’s visit for interactive engagements.
Governor’s Insights on AI in Education
In his keynote, Governor R.N. Ravi positioned AI as a “general-purpose force reshaping every domain,” urging India to cultivate indigenous capabilities and support startups to avoid dependency.
- Key Quotes:
- “Education is the most potent instrument of transformation and justice. Technology, particularly AI, is a general-purpose force reshaping every domain at an unprecedented scale.”
- Cautioned against AI marginalizing underprivileged institutions: “We must ensure equitable access in government schools and state universities.”
- Vision Alignment: Praised NEP 2020 for promoting skill-based, entrepreneurial education, calling for balanced adoption: “Embrace AI, but not at the cost of natural intelligence.”
Future Implications
EDNxT Chennai 2025 reinforced the need for aligned AI adoption to create resilient, inclusive education systems, positioning Tamil Nadu as a model for national reforms.
- Expected Outcomes:
- Accelerated partnerships for edtech infrastructure and teacher training.
- Policy pushes for digital equity, potentially reducing learning gaps by 20-30% in underserved areas.
- Momentum for statewide initiatives in AI literacy and gig-ready skills, contributing to Viksit Bharat@2047 goals.
