AI can teach rich kids better than most expensive private tutors: Vinod Khosla tells Nikhil Kamath

Nikhil Kamath's conversation with Vinod Khosla also touched on broader implications of AI in public services. (Image credit: Nikhil Kamath/YouTube)

Indian-American billionaire and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla believes the future of education lies in artificial intelligence—and it’s closer than most think. Speaking to fellow billionaire entrepreneur and podcast host Nikhil Kamath on the future of AI in education, the Silicon Valley veteran said AI tutors could soon outperform even the most elite private educators, making world-class learning accessible to every child in India.

“If every child in India has a free AI tutor—which I hope happens in the next five years—that’s entirely possible today at a small fraction of the government’s education budget,” Khosla said. “And it’ll be better than the best education a rich person can offer their kids by hiring personal teachers.”

Khosla argued that AI’s potential to democratise education goes beyond affordability. It offers flexibility, continuity, and the ability to pivot across disciplines without the constraints of traditional institutions. “Whether it’s sixth-grade education or professional training, you’ll be able to do anything at any time,” he said, envisioning a future where switching from medicine to engineering wouldn’t require years of formal retraining.

The conversation also touched on broader implications of AI in public services. Khosla imagined a world where medical, legal, and financial expertise is universally accessible—powered by AI. “Most people in India can’t hire a lawyer to enforce their rights. That’s why we don’t have real justice,” he told the Zerodha co-founder, suggesting AI judges could help address systemic bottlenecks in the legal system.

Khosla also recalled writing a decade ago about how even someone earning Rs 5,000 a month could have access to the best wealth advisor—thanks to AI. “Someone who makes a lot more wouldn’t necessarily have a better advisor,” he said, adding that AI could even outperform humans in navigating complex tax strategies.

The Indian-American businessman's views appeared to mirror what Kamath himself had shared in June. In a post on X in June, Kamath pointed out that global job market was facing a seismic shift, with traditional education models increasingly struggling to keep pace with technological disruption and rapidly evolving workforce needs. “The days of 4-year college courses are over. Lifelong learning is the new norm, for everyone,” he wrote.