In a significant stride toward digital empowerment in education, e-commerce giant Amazon has successfully completed its pilot project in Andhra Pradesh aimed at equipping government school students with essential computer skills. Launched under the banner of Amazon Future Engineer (AFE), the initiative was conducted across three districts—Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam—and is now being hailed as a model for tech-enabled education in rural India.

The pilot, which concluded recently, provided training in coding and artificial intelligence (AI) to over 7,381 students and more than 248 teachers in both online and offline formats. The initiative was executed in collaboration with key partners including Samagra Shiksha, Leadership for Equity, and Quest Alliance, through a formal Memorandum of Understanding.

The training not only focused on introducing young learners to 21st-century digital skills but also aimed at empowering teachers to integrate technology-based learning into their regular curriculum. The program featured modules on basic coding, algorithmic thinking, and introductory AI concepts, ensuring accessibility even for those with limited prior exposure to digital tools.

“This pilot was not just about teaching coding—it was about opening new doors for students who had never imagined themselves working with technology,” said Madhavilatha, AFE’s State Coordinator for Andhra Pradesh. “What we saw was a transformation—not only in skill levels but in confidence and aspiration.”

The impact of the project has prompted Amazon Future Engineer to envision a far more ambitious roadmap. According to Madhavilatha, AFE is now preparing to scale the initiative statewide over the next three years, with plans to train 50,000 students and 5,000 teachers in coding and AI literacy.

Educational experts and local administrators have lauded the pilot for its inclusive approach and real-world relevance. “Incorporating coding and AI into school education is not a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity. Programs like these bridge the gap for students in government schools who would otherwise be left behind in the digital race,” said Ganesh, a senior official from Samagra Shiksha.

As India moves toward becoming a global digital powerhouse, projects like AFE are helping democratize access to technology—one school, one teacher, and one student at a time. And for many children in Andhra Pradesh, this pilot project may well be the first step on a journey toward a tech-driven future.