Kochi: While most Class 12 students are busy preparing for board exams and planning their college journeys, Kerala’s Raul John Aju is already building a career in artificial intelligence (AI) — without a formal degree in the field.
Known online as “Raul the Rockstar” and sometimes called the “AI Kid of India”, Raul has been developing AI tools, exploring technology projects and conducting initiatives to help students and professionals understand emerging technologies.
His AI journey began at nine
Raul’s interest in technology started when he was around nine years old. He began exploring computers on his own, experimenting with different technologies and learning through online resources.
Over the years, that curiosity developed into a serious interest in artificial intelligence.
What makes his journey stand out is that Raul is a commerce student, not an engineering or computer science student. He has also not relied on a formal technology degree to build his knowledge of AI.
Learning AI without a formal degree
Rather than waiting for a college course to teach him the technology, Raul has been learning through self-study, experimentation and practical projects.
His journey reflects how rapidly technology is changing the traditional path into the AI industry. Skills, curiosity and the ability to build practical solutions are increasingly becoming important alongside formal qualifications.
Raul has used what he has learnt to develop AI-related tools and projects while continuing his Class 12 education.
From student to young AI enthusiast
His work also goes beyond his own learning. Raul has been involved in educational initiatives designed to make emerging technologies easier for students and professionals to understand.
For a Class 12 commerce student, his involvement in AI is an unusual journey. But Raul’s story demonstrates that a formal technology degree is not the only way to begin exploring artificial intelligence.
As AI becomes a bigger part of everyday life, education and careers, Raul is using his school years to experiment, learn and build — without waiting for a degree to get started.