Lucknow: Anudip Foundation, in collaboration with Microsoft Elevate India, has launched the ‘UP Educator Catalyst: Building AI-Ready Classrooms’ programme to equip more than 52,000 teachers and faculty members across schools and higher education institutions in Uttar Pradesh with artificial intelligence (AI) skills.
The initiative aims to strengthen teachers’ understanding of AI and promote its practical, responsible use in classrooms. It will focus on developing AI expertise among educators, supporting technology adoption in educational institutions and expanding training through a network of master trainers.
Senior education officials, school principals and teachers attended the launch event in Lucknow. Expert educators from Gorakhpur and Prayagraj were recognised as the programme’s initial catalysts and received certificates acknowledging their AI knowledge and expertise. They will train other teachers and help integrate AI tools into teaching practices.
Vishnu Kant Pandey, Additional State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha (Secondary Education), said the initiative would help teachers improve educational quality and prepare students for future challenges. He emphasised that AI should complement teachers rather than replace them.
AI tools can help educators save time on repetitive tasks such as preparing lesson plans and question papers, allowing them to focus more on students. However, teachers must critically evaluate AI-generated content using their professional experience and subject knowledge.
Apoorva Seth, Director of Product Growth and Chief of Staff at Microsoft India Development Center, and Tanmay Mukherjee, Senior Vice President of Anudip Foundation, were also present at the launch.
Microsoft India Development Center Managing Director and President Rajiv Kumar said the Microsoft Elevate for Educators initiative aims to prepare two million teachers for AI by 2030, making the technology more accessible and useful in education.
Anudip Foundation CEO Monisha Banerjee said the programme seeks to build a community of educators capable of sharing AI knowledge across districts and helping more students develop the skills needed for an AI-driven future.
The initiative is expected to extend AI-enabled teaching practices across Uttar Pradesh, with trained educators playing a central role in promoting responsible technology use and improving classroom learning experiences.
