Teen’s DIY AI Teacher “Sophie” Goes Viral — Sparks Nationwide Buzz Over Robot Classrooms

A 17-year-old Class 12 student from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh has stunned the internet and education community by building a homegrown AI-powered robot teacher named Sophie, catapulting into viral fame overnight. The robot — built by the student for roughly ₹25,000 — uses an advanced large-language-model (LLM) chipset and recently made headlines after being demonstrated in a real classroom at Shiv Charan Inter College. 

 

Class-room tech meets teen ambition
 

Meet Sophie, the AI teacher — The robot introduces herself in Hindi: “I am an AI teacher robot… my name is Sophie.” She can answer student questions on a variety of subjects, from general knowledge to arithmetic. In a classroom demo, she correctly identified India’s first President and Prime Minister, and solved simple numerical problems. 

 

Budget-friendly innovation — Despite heavy computing demands, Sophie was built for just ₹25,000 — bargain-priced compared with commercial robotic solutions. Her creation underscores the power of accessible AI tools and grassroots innovation. 

 

Built by a student from a small town Hindi-medium school — The inventor, a Class 12 student at a Hindi-medium school in a small city, emphasises that such technological potential exists beyond big urban centres. His success prompts conversation about educational equity and the democratization of advanced technology. 

 

From voice-only to future-ready aspirations — Right now, Sophie can speak and respond — but cannot write or move. The creator says he is working on enabling written responses next. He also appeals to authorities to set up labs in every district so students can pursue hands-on research like his. 

 

What this means for under-resourced schools — For institutions with limited teaching staff, Sophie represents a potential stopgap: a substitute teacher on days when human staff are unavailable. It raises broader questions about the role of AI in classrooms — supplementing human effort, not replacing it entirely. 

 

The story of Sophie has triggered widespread admiration — and sparked debate. On one hand, it celebrates youthful ingenuity and resourcefulness. On the other, it nudges educators, policymakers and citizens to reflect on how AI could transform disadvantaged classrooms, given the right support and infrastructure.

Source: India Today, Economic Times, NDTV, Moneycontrol.