EnlightenAI in the news
Coverage of EnlightenAI, and conversations with our founder, Gautam Thapar, about teachers, writing and AI in schools.
Named to the GSV Cup 50, twice
ASU+GSV's list of the world's most innovative early-stage education technology startups. In 2026 the 50 were chosen from more than 3,000 nominations, and Gautam pitched EnlightenAI on the Prime Time Stage at the ASU+GSV Summit.
Our founder on NBC News: how AI gives teachers time back
Gautam Thapar, founder and CEO of EnlightenAI, joined education leader Kira Orange Jones on NBC News NOW to discuss new Gallup research on how teachers use AI. Gallup found that teachers who use AI at least weekly estimate they save 5.9 hours a week, the equivalent of about six weeks over a school year.
- Watch on NBC News: Teachers using AI every week are saving six weeks of their school year
- Longer cut: How AI is helping teachers save time and focus more on students
- Read the research: Gallup, “Three in 10 Teachers Use AI Weekly, Saving Six Weeks a Year”
NBC News NOW's education reporting is sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation, which also commissioned the Gallup research. Gallup surveyed 2,232 U.S. public K-12 teachers in March and April 2025; time saved is the teachers' own estimate.
Why it matters for schools
Time back only helps if the work it frees up is done well. EnlightenAI is an AI grading assistant that teachers calibrate on their own rubric and examples, so the scores and feedback it drafts match how they grade, and school and district leaders can trust the writing data they see. In a study with DREAM Charter Schools, over 70% of its scores on 147 grade 8 essays matched an administrator's exactly, and every score was within one point.
Interviews, podcasts and articles
- Podcast · Edtech Insiders · Dec 1, 2025Teaching Lab Studio: Co-designing AI tools with educators
- Podcast · THRIVEinEDU with Rachelle Dené Poth · Jan 30, 2025THRIVEinEDU live with Gautam Thapar, founder of EnlightenAI
- Podcast · The Teacher's Forum · Oct 2, 2023Unleashing AI's potential in education: a conversation with Gautam Thapar
- Video interview · Edtech InsidersGautam Thapar, CEO of EnlightenAI
- Article and video · Teaching Lab · May 2026From burnout to breakthrough: the story behind EnlightenAI
- Article · Teaching LabWhy AI in education fails without educators at the table
- Our podcast · In PracticeTeachers and school leaders on navigating the changes AI brings to schools