Bridging the Education Divide: How AI Can Support Underserved Communities

The education gap is one of the world’s biggest crises, with over 250 million children lacking access to quality schooling. But AI could change that if we put it in the right hands. Nonprofits are leading this movement, using tech-driven solutions to bring learning to everyone, everywhere.

The harsh reality of global education 

Only 36% of 10-year-olds worldwide can read and understand a simple story, down from 48% before the pandemic (UNICEF). Education remains one of the hardest-hit sectors from Covid-19’s lasting effects, with learning losses documented in 80% of the 104 countries studied. A Progress in International Reading Literacy Study found declines in 21 of 32 countries from 2016–2021, and two-thirds of parents reported setbacks for children due to prolonged periods at home.

The situation is especially dire in low-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, about 90% of children can’t read a sentence by age 10, a crisis termed “learning poverty” by the World Bank. This threatens not only individual opportunities but also national economic growth, as unskilled human resources limit global competitiveness. UNESCO estimates that ensuring all children achieve basic literacy could reduce global poverty by 12%. Meanwhile, 258 million children are out of school, and many who attend face inadequate resources and underprepared teachers.

AI has the power to transform communities, but success depends on a deep understanding of local context. Nonprofits are stepping up to make this happen, introducing AI in areas where it can make the biggest difference. They’re redesigning technology to meet the realities on the ground, streamlining it to fit resource constraints, and ensuring it works for the people it serves.

Personalized learning at scale 

There is growing optimism that advancements in technology, particularly AI, can address some of the most pressing challenges in global education. AI-for-Education.org, a leading organization in this space, has identified over 160 innovative ways AI can enhance learning in underserved regions, paving the way for scalable solutions. For Jared Lee, the CPO of AI-for-Education, the area where he sees the most potential is personalized student learning. “Chatbots can gauge the learning level of each individual student and then provide tailored tutoring and instruction,” he explains. 

Yet the path to effective implementation is far from straightforward. In low-income regions, many children don’t have access to basic internet, much less the infrastructure needed to support complex AI models.

“One of the big barriers to realizing this opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa is the availability of hardware and internet connectivity where penetration rates are still very low,” Jared shared.

But there are creative workarounds. One example Jared pointed out was Viamo, an initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa that allows students to access daily tutoring through voice calls on basic “dumb phones,” using voice recognition AI to provide learning support without the need for smartphones or Wi-Fi. “If you’re in a village in rural Sierra Leone, you can sign up to a service where once a day after school your child gets a call on a basic phone, providing 30 minutes of AI tutoring on whatever subjects they need,” Jared explained.

Nonprofits bridging AI and local needs

Success with AI in underserved communities requires a balance between utilizing established tools and adapting them to local conditions and needs. Nonprofits working directly with communities, schools, and children often have the clearest understanding of the issues and solutions that will endure.

Their deep connection to the realities on the ground makes them pivotal in ensuring that AI technologies are not just innovative but also effective and sustainable in the environments where they are most needed.

The future of AI in education is not about replacing teachers; it’s about empowering them, particularly in regions with severe shortages of qualified educators. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, millions of teachers would need to be recruited and trained to meet current demands, a goal that is far from achievable in the short term. AI offers an alternative path, creating a support system that can scale across classrooms, homes, and community centers.

AI-powered tools like personalized learning have the potential to close the education gap for millions. However, realizing this future depends on thoughtful design, strong partnerships, and a commitment to equity. “

It’s all about finding out how AI can complement and support the role of human teachers,” Jared emphasized. “There’s value in an education beyond just learning skills, and the role of the classroom as a community and the teacher as a mentor is always going to be incredibly important.”

How AI for Changemakers supports nonprofits 

At Tech To The Rescue, we believe AI has the potential to transform education, especially in underserved areas. Through our AI for Changemakers acceleration program, supported by AWS and Google.org, is now accepting applications from nonprofits working to advance education. This initiative offers expert-led bootcamps, mentorship, and access to a network of professionals, supporting non profits to develop scalable AI-driven solutions tailored to the unique challenges of their communities. 

For non profits, the program is a chance to explore how AI can amplify impact whether through personalized learning tools that adapt to individual needs or innovative approaches that address barriers like limited internet access. AI for Changemakers equips nonprofits with the tools to create solutions that truly work on the ground.

If you are a non profit looking to make a change in education, or a tech company looking to make an impact through pro bono work, join us in shaping a world where every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.