At an age when most Class 12 students are focused on board examinations and choosing a college, Raul John Aju was already building AI tools, running an education platform and teaching students and professionals how to use artificial intelligence.Known online as “Raul the Rockstar” and often described as the “AI Kid of India”, the teenager from Kerala has built an unusual journey around technology—despite coming from a Commerce background rather than a conventional engineering or computer science pathway.According to information shared on his LinkedIn profile and other publicly available accounts, Raul’s fascination with technology began when he was around nine years old. What started as self-learning and experimentation eventually developed into AI projects, educational initiatives and a growing online community.
From Plus Two Commerce to building AI tools
Raul studied as a Plus Two Commerce student at North Edappally GHSS, while simultaneously pursuing his interest in artificial intelligence.His LinkedIn profile describes him as the founder and CTO of AIRealm Technologies, where he works on AI products, experiments and practical technology solutions. Among the projects associated with him are ThinkCraft, RESQ AI, MeBot and other AI-based tools designed for different use cases.He has also been associated with ThinkCraft Academy, an AI learning platform through which students and professionals are introduced to emerging technologies.According to claims shared in his profile, his educational initiatives have reached a large number of learners, including students and professionals.
Taking AI beyond classrooms
Raul’s work has not remained limited to building software.He has also conducted AI sessions and workshops for students, educators and professionals and says his focus is to make artificial intelligence less intimidating for people who may not have a technical background.“I build things with AI. I talk about them. Sometimes I break them. Then I build them again,” Raul writes in his LinkedIn introduction.That approach—learning by experimenting—appears to define much of his journey.His profile also claims that he has delivered eight TEDx talks and conducted sessions at IITs, universities, schools and other institutions. He has built an online following of more than 500,000 people, where he shares content related to AI and emerging technologies.
Plus Two Commerce student, AI founder and mentor: How Kerala teenager Raul John Aju built a career in artificial intelligence. (Photo: LinkedIn)
The moment that reportedly showed his unusual approach to technology
One account of Raul’s journey describes an incident involving an alleged scam message he received several years ago.Instead of simply ignoring the message, he reportedly began investigating how the scam operated and used his technology skills to trace its origins. The episode has been cited as an example of his curiosity about using technology to understand and solve real-world problems.Whether building AI tools or teaching students how to experiment with emerging technologies, Raul’s public work reflects a larger shift in how young people are entering the technology space.
Does studying Commerce limit a career in AI?
Raul’s story may particularly resonate with students who believe that artificial intelligence is accessible only to those pursuing Computer Science or engineering degrees.While a strong foundation in mathematics, programming and computer science can be valuable for building advanced AI systems, the growing AI ecosystem also needs educators, entrepreneurs, designers, product builders and domain specialists.For Raul, the route into AI appears to have started not with a formal engineering degree, but with curiosity and self-learning.His journey—from a teenager experimenting with technology in Kerala to building AI projects and teaching others—offers a reminder that in a rapidly changing technology landscape, what students choose to build and learn outside the classroom can sometimes become as important as what they study inside it.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and claims shared by Raul John Aju and other sources. TOI Education has not independently verified all claims, achievements, audience figures or professional associations mentioned in the article.