New Delhi: OpenAI launched its first-ever international education initiative, ‘OpenAI Academy’, in partnership with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on 5 June.
This partnership underscores the growing recognition of India’s potential as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation and talent.
At the launch event in New Delhi, Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI, praised India’s bold AI vision and infrastructure investments, calling the country “a global AI powerhouse” and one of the few demonstrating the scale and ambition required to lead in the AI era.
“India has the second-highest number of ChatGPT users and a vibrant developer community. This speaks volumes about the momentum here,” Kwon said.
The OpenAI Academy will provide AI training and education for a broad range of learners, including students, civil servants, developers, educators, nonprofit leaders and small business owners.
The initiative will blend online, as well as, offline formats, and initially offer courses in English and Hindi, with more regional languages to follow. Educational resources will also be integrated with IT ministry’s FutureSkills platform and iGOT Karmayogi, the Centre’s digital capacity-building platform for government officials.
The initiative aims to address the increasing demand for AI-skilled professionals. “We hope to accelerate AI learning and help individuals stay at the cutting edge of innovation by sharing the latest tools and knowledge,” Kwon said.
Additionally, he emphasised that for India to fully unlock AI’s potential, investments in data ecosystems and core digital infrastructure are essential.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a video message, called the collaboration a transformative step.
“By opening doors to future-ready skills, we are enabling our startups, researchers, and developers to innovate faster and more effectively,” he said.
To encourage grassroots innovation, OpenAI will provide up to $100,000 in API credits to 50 startups or fellows selected by the IndiaAI Mission. The Academy will also conduct hackathons in seven states, targeting participation from 25,000 students. Winners will have a chance to attend OpenAI’s Global Dev Day.
In line with the IndiaAI Mission’s goals, the OpenAI Academy is also expected to contribute to the ambitious target of training one million teachers in using generative AI tools in classrooms.
Additionally, experts from OpenAI will lead webinars and workshops across six major cities, while a dedicated Knowledge Hub will offer free access to tutorials, video lectures and peer-learning communities.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between OpenAI and IndiaAI Mission outlines a shared goal of fostering AI literacy and accelerating inclusive innovation across the country.
Kwon further stated: “India is emerging as one of the most dynamic hubs for AI innovation. We are thrilled to empower individuals here with the confidence and skills to integrate AI into their everyday work and lives.”
