For years, success in India’s education system has largely been measured through marks, ranks and competitive examinations. But as artificial intelligence reshapes how students learn and access information, educators are beginning to value a different set of skills. Critical thinking, communication, leadership and the ability to persuade with logic are increasingly becoming the qualities that set future-ready professionals apart.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies analytical thinking as the most sought-after skill among employers globally. It is this shift that former Google executive Priyanka Kapuria recognised long before generative AI entered classrooms.
Having worked at Google and earlier at IBM, Kapuria observed that professional success was often determined as much by communication and influence as by technical expertise. As she later transitioned into communication coaching, she noticed a similar gap among school students. Many excelled academically but struggled to articulate their ideas, challenge assumptions and defend their opinions with evidence.
That insight led her to launch The Speakers United TSU in Gurgaon in 2019. Bootstrapped from inception, TSU was never intended to be another debating academy. Instead, Kapuria envisioned a mentorship-led future skills platform that uses debate as a vehicle to develop leadership, critical thinking, communication and confidence.
“The objective was never to create champion debaters, we wanted to create boardroom speakers, future leaders and confident decision-makers,” says Kapuria.
Today, TSU works with students from Grade 4 through Grade 12, offering programmes in debate, public speaking, leadership development, pitching and communication. Since its inception, the platform has mentored more than 5,000 students, with many remaining associated with the organisation for six to seven years, even after moving to college.
Unlike conventional debate academies that primarily prepare students for competitions, TSU places mentorship at the centre of its model. Students are encouraged to research independently, evaluate multiple perspectives, build evidence-based arguments and communicate with confidence. The focus extends well beyond winning trophies to nurturing leadership and decision-making skills that remain relevant throughout life.
That approach is reflected in the outcomes TSU values. Its students have gone on to become school presidents, founders of student-led initiatives, scholarship recipients and grant winners. For Kapuria, these achievements reinforce the platform’s philosophy that debate is not the destination but the means to build well-rounded individuals.
“AI has only strengthened that belief. While technology can generate speeches and summarise information within seconds, it cannot replace judgement, empathy or original thinking.” Kapuria said.
Earlier this year, TSU organised the fifth edition of The Big Experience, an AI-free and gadget-free debating programme where students relied on independent research and face-to-face discussions rather than digital tools.
As AI continues to transform education, Kapuria believes, “ real differentiator will not be access to information but the ability to question it, communicate it and apply it with sound judgement.”
Through TSU, she is building a business around the belief that while technology will continue to evolve, critical thinking will remain one of the most valuable skills students can possess.
Website: https://tsuindia.com/
By: Arushi Agarwal
