Sonu Kumar: Building India’s AI Ecosystem Through Education, Community, and Entrepreneurship

Sonu Kumar is an AI entrepreneur, educator, researcher, and ecosystem builder based in Hyderabad. He is the founder of Kodryx AI and AI Anytime, a popular AI learning platform that evolved from a YouTube channel into a thriving community and is now part of Sankhyantra Foundation, a nonprofit initiative focused on free AI education.

Born in Bihar and educated across India and the United States, Sonu’s journey spans healthcare technology, entrepreneurship, research, community building, and AI talent development. In this conversation, he shares insights from his journey and his vision for the future of AI in India.

Q. Tell us about your background and early journey.

I was born in Bihar and completed my schooling in government schools there. My family valued education deeply, and that played an important role in shaping my outlook.

Later, I moved to West Bengal for my higher secondary education, completed my engineering degree in India, and eventually pursued a master’s degree in the United States.

Growing up, access to technology and learning resources was limited compared to what many students have today. That experience taught me the importance of self-learning, curiosity, and perseverance. Looking back, those early challenges helped build the foundation for everything I have done since.

Q. How did you first become interested in AI and technology?

I have always been fascinated by solving problems through technology. During my academic journey, I became increasingly interested in machine learning, computer vision, and data science. What attracted me to AI was its ability to solve complex real-world problems at scale.

Over time, I started working on research projects, open-source initiatives, and practical applications of AI. My focus was never just on the technology itself. I was more interested in how technology could create meaningful impact for people and organizations.

Q.You worked on healthcare AI during the COVID pandemic. Can you tell us more about that experience?

During the COVID pandemic, I co created M-VIC19, an AI powered medical imaging platform designed to assist in identifying and localizing signs of infection from chest scans. The project received recognition through international innovation challenges and brought together healthcare and technology in a meaningful way.

The experience reinforced my belief that AI can become a powerful tool for supporting professionals in critical situations. It also taught me the importance of building solutions that are practical, accessible, and focused on real world outcomes.

Q.What led you to entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship happened naturally because I wanted to move beyond research and create solutions that could reach people at scale.

I co-founded Sporo Health, a healthcare technology startup focused on improving patient outcomes through AI driven solutions. Building the company gave me firsthand experience in product development, customer engagement, partnerships, and scaling technology. The journey eventually led to an exit, but more importantly, it taught me valuable lessons about execution and long-term value creation.

Q.Some of your colleagues say you are extremely demanding and often work 15 to 16 hours a day. How do you respond to that?

I have heard that many times, and honestly, there is probably some truth to it.

When people see the visible outcomes, whether it is a startup, a research project, a community initiative, a workshop, or a company, they often do not see the thousands of hours that happen behind the scenes. Building meaningful things requires consistency, discipline, and an unusual level of commitment.

I do work long hours, when necessary, but I do not believe in working hard for the sake of working hard. I believe in being deeply committed to a mission. When you are trying to build companies, create educational opportunities, contribute to research, support communities, and help people grow, there are very few shortcuts.

As for being demanding, I have high expectations, especially from myself. I believe excellence comes from attention to detail, ownership, and continuous improvement. If I ask a lot from the people around me, it is because I hold myself to the same standards.

That said, I have learned that leadership is not about pushing people harder. It is about helping people become better than they thought they could be. The best leaders challenge people, but they also support them, mentor them, and create an environment where they can succeed.

I often tell students and young professionals that talent is important, but consistency is far more powerful. Extraordinary outcomes are usually the result of ordinary actions repeated over a long period of time. Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a month and underestimate what they can achieve in five years.

At the end of the day, I am not motivated by titles, recognition, or short-term success. I am motivated by building things that outlast me. Whether it is a company, a community, a learning platform, or an institution, I want to create something that continues to create value long after I am no longer directly involved.

Q.Many people know you through AI Anytime. How did that begin?

AI Anytime started as a YouTube channel with a simple goal of making AI education accessible to everyone. At the time, there were very few practical resources that explained AI concepts in a way that students and professionals could easily understand.

Over time, the channel grew into a larger community of learners, developers, researchers, and educators. Today, AI Anytime is part of Sankhyantra Foundation, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to providing AI education and learning opportunities. Through tutorials, workshops, mentorship, open-source projects, and community initiatives, we have helped thousands of learners explore AI and build their careers.

Q. Why are you spending so much time working with universities and academic institutions?

One of the biggest challenges in India is the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. AI is evolving rapidly, and educational institutions need stronger support systems to keep pace with these changes.

I believe universities can play a major role in shaping India’s future AI workforce. That is why I actively work with institutions through faculty development programs, workshops, hackathons, internships, AI Labs, and Centres of Excellence. The objective is not just to teach technology but to create sustainable ecosystems where students, researchers, startups, and industry professionals can collaborate and innovate together.

Q. Tell us about Kodryx AI and your current focus.

Kodryx AI was founded with a focus on building practical AI solutions that solve real business and industry challenges. We are particularly interested in domains where AI can improve decision making, productivity, and outcomes.

My focus today is on building technologies that are useful, scalable, and impactful. At the same time, I remain deeply committed to education, research, and community development because I believe innovation and talent development must progress together.

Q. You have also been involved in social impact initiatives. Why is that important to you?

Technology should not exist in isolation from society. Throughout my journey, I have believed that meaningful progress happens when technology creates opportunities and improves lives.

Through my association with Child Chapter and other community initiatives, I have supported efforts related to child safety awareness, education, and social development. These experiences have reinforced the importance of combining entrepreneurship with responsibility and impact.

Q. What is your vision for India’s future in AI?

I believe India has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in AI. We have exceptional talent, a growing startup ecosystem, strong academic institutions, and increasing interest from both industry and government.

However, success will depend on our ability to develop talent at scale, strengthen industry academia collaboration, encourage innovation, and create opportunities for young people to build and experiment. The future of AI in India will not be defined by a handful of companies. It will be shaped by millions of students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals working together.

Q. What advice would you give to students and aspiring entrepreneurs?

Focus on building real skills and solving real problems. Do not spend too much time chasing trends. Technology changes quickly, but curiosity, discipline, and the ability to learn continuously remain valuable throughout your career.

Most importantly, start building. Every meaningful journey begins with a small step, and consistent effort over time creates extraordinary outcomes.

As India continues its rapid transformation into a technology driven economy, leaders like Sonu are helping shape the next generation of AI talent through entrepreneurship, education, research, and community building. From government schools in Bihar to startup ventures in the United States and AI initiatives across India, his journey reflects the power of learning, persistence, and a commitment to creating opportunities for others. Through Kodryx AI, AI Anytime, Sankhyantra Foundation, and his work with academic institutions, Sonu continues to contribute to a growing ecosystem that aims to make AI more accessible, practical, and impactful for society.