Google partners with Rocket Learning to launch AI tutor Appu in India

Rocket Learning has launched Appu, an AI-powered tutor designed for children aged 3–6 in India. Developed with pro bono technical assistance from Google.org Fellows, Appu is designed to support early childhood education. It is freely accessible across devices and focuses on school readiness skills such as pre-literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development.
The AI tutor uses advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) to improve reasoning, speed, and efficiency. It is currently being piloted by thousands of children and aims to reach 50 million families by 2030, including those in government-run Anganwadi centers and preschools.
In 2023, Rocket Learning received a $1.5 million grant from .org as part of the AI for Global Goals Impact Challenge to develop AI-powered educational solutions. This funding supported the development of a machine-learning system that automates grading for 50,000 homework assignments shared daily. As part of Google.org's support, a group of Google employees participated in a six-month Google.org Fellowship program, working pro bono with Rocket Learning to develop Appu.
Annie Lewin, Senior Director at Google.org, said, “At Google.org, we’re committed to making AI’s benefits and capabilities more accessible in areas where they can drive systemic impact. Early education is one such key area. We value Rocket Learning’s dedication to this space and are proud to support its AI-powered tutor, developed over six months through close collaboration between Rocket Learning and our team of Google.org Fellows. We look forward to seeing how this innovation helps shape the future of learning, as they scale their work to 20 additional languages.”
Vishal Sunil, Co-Founder and CTO of Rocket Learning, said, “Appu is the future of learning—AI-driven, intuitive, and designed to evolve. We see adaptability as our greatest strength and personalization as the catalyst for unlocking every child’s potential. With 85% of brain development happening by age six, early childhood education is the next frontier in human capital. Appu is designed to elevate India’s IQ, maximise its demographic dividend, and bridge the AI divide.”