Meet Uday Shankar,the 8th-Grade Dropout Leading an AI Startup in Kochi

oung innovators are using technology to develop real-world solutions and creative products from a remarkably young age.

Uday Shankar is a shining example. At just 13, he is the Chief Technology Officer of Urav Advanced Learning Systems, a company he co-founded to make STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education more accessible for children.

With the encouragement of his parents and the availability of online learning tools, Uday ventured into robotics at age seven.

This early interest grew into a passion, leading him to develop useful gadgets, including an infrared thermometer and a portable sanitizer dispenser, which he built with parts sourced online.

Uday’s commitment to innovation didn’t stop with educational kits.

He soon expanded his skills into programming, becoming a certified Python developer and delving into game development using C# for the AR platform Jio Tesseract.

His work in gamification aims to make learning interactive, demonstrating how technology can engage students in ways traditional methods may not.

Uday Shankar’s foray into AI is a unique blend of innovation and personal inspiration. His journey began with a challenge when he couldn’t reach his grandmother in Palakkad. This sparked an idea that led to his first AI-driven app, Hi Friends. Uday created a virtual avatar of his grandmother, allowing users to interact with the avatar in multiple languages, bridging gaps in communication. This development later inspired a kiosk version designed for multilingual use in high-traffic public spaces like metro stations. Uday’s story illustrates how personal experiences can drive groundbreaking advancements in AI.

Uday’s story reflects a broader trend: young people worldwide are harnessing the power of technology to address real-world problems and bring their ideas to life.

With online resources, self-paced courses, and the growing acceptance of non-traditional education, many teenagers now have the skills and knowledge to create meaningful solutions independently.

This wave of youth-driven innovation is not only impressive but crucial as we enter an era where tech skills are foundational to solving challenges across fields.

The story of Uday Shankar, and countless others like him, shows how accessible technology has become.

With resources widely available, the future looks promising for the next generation of tech-savvy innovators and problem-solvers, each of whom is rewriting what’s possible before they even enter the workforce.

These young creators remind us that with the right tools, learning environment, and passion, anyone can make a substantial impact—no matter their age.