Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming educational practices by providing students with personalised explanations writing assistance tutoring and instant access to information. However unequal access to digital infrastructure devices affordable connectivity and AI literacy may distribute these benefits unevenly among Indian youth. This paper examines how the traditional digital divide is evolving into an AI divide and explores how unequal access and increasing dependence on generative AI may reshape educational inequality. The study comparatively analyses socioeconomic geographical and technological differences influencing students’ ability to access and use generative AI for learning. It further examines AI literacy learning autonomy academic dependence and institutional support as emerging dimensions of educational inequality. Drawing upon recent Indian and international research the paper argues that generative AI can simultaneously reduce resource gaps and creat