India Chosen as First Global Launchpad for OpenAI Academy to Bring AI Education to Millions With Free Courses, Workshops and Developer Grants

OpenAI Brings AI Education Platform to India in First Global Rollout

OpenAI has taken its AI learning platform beyond the United States for the first time, launching “OpenAI Academy India” in collaboration with the Indian government’s IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The initiative was formally announced on 6 June 2025 and represents a strategic move to empower India’s fast-growing digital and developer community through accessible AI training and resources.

Why India Was Chosen For The First International Launch

India is now home to the second-largest user base of ChatGPT globally, according to OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon.

Speaking at the launch, Kwon said,

“India is one of the most dynamic countries in the world for AI development, with adoption and innovation accelerating at a remarkable speed. We’re proud to help more people gain the confidence and skills to use AI meaningfully in their work, communities, and lives.”

The decision to launch the Academy in India reflects the country’s expanding digital infrastructure, strong startup momentum, and a thriving tech talent pool.

The collaboration is designed to support the IndiaAI Mission’s ‘FutureSkills’ objective, which focuses on equipping citizens with the knowledge and tools needed for AI-driven progress.

What Learners Can Expect From The Academy

The platform will offer a mix of online and offline courses tailored to various learning levels and regional needs.

Courses will initially be available in English and Hindi, with four more Indian languages in development.

The Academy features video tutorials, hands-on learning modules, expert-led sessions, and access to peer-learning communities.

Resources will be distributed via the IndiaAI FutureSkills platform and iGOT Karmayogi, the government’s digital learning portal for civil servants.

The initiative targets a broad group of learners, including students, developers, educators, nonprofit leaders, civil servants, and small business owners.

Special programmes will also focus on public sector training, with dedicated content developed for government officials.

Expanding Learning Access With Events, Credits And Competitions

To boost participation and innovation, OpenAI will host workshops and webinars in six major cities and run hackathons across seven Indian states.

These events aim to engage 25,000 students and emerging developers nationwide.

A support package has also been announced.

Fifty IndiaAI-approved startups and fellows will each receive up to US$100,000 in OpenAI API credits.

Winners from the hackathons will be invited to OpenAI’s international DevDay.

In a bold step toward generative AI literacy, OpenAI has committed to training one million teachers across the country on the use of AI tools in education.

This training push is expected to help integrate AI into classrooms and local learning environments more effectively.

Government Voices Back The Collaboration

Abhishek Singh, CEO of IndiaAI, highlighted the increasing availability of computing power for developers in India, stating that around 34,000 GPUs are now accessible at globally competitive prices.

Singh stressed that this infrastructure is vital to ensuring India remains competitive in the AI race.

Joining the event remotely, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said,

“This is a significant step towards advancing our shared goal of democratising access to knowledge and technology. The launch of OpenAI Academy will strengthen India’s AI Mission by enabling greater community learning, fostering innovation, and accelerating the development of locally relevant solutions.”

The partnership between OpenAI and IndiaAI not only positions India as a key market for AI education but also sets the foundation for deeper collaboration in responsible and inclusive tech development.