Artificial Intelligence | OpenAI Partners with Indian Universities to Boost AI Skills

OpenAI Forges University Partnerships to Cultivate AI Talent in India

OpenAI announced collaborations with leading Indian universities, including IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, on February 18, 2026, to embed artificial intelligence (AI) across various educational programmes, aiming to equip over one lakh students, faculty, and staff with essential AI skills.

Key Details of the Collaboration

The partnerships involve a cohort of prominent Indian higher education institutions. Beyond IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, the first group includes the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), and Pearl Academy.

This initiative is designed to move beyond basic access to AI tools, focusing instead on campus-wide integration anchored in responsible use and academic integrity. The goal is to systematically embed AI into the core of academic institutions across management, health, engineering, creative, and multidisciplinary education. This aims to bridge the gap between AI tool capabilities and their practical application, addressing the evolving demands of India's tech-driven economy.

Official Position and Company Statement

Raghav Gupta, Head of Education, OpenAI India, emphasized the importance of AI literacy for building a future-ready generation. He stated that studies project nearly 40% of the core skills workers rely on today will change by 2030, largely driven by AI. According to Gupta, educational institutions are critical in bridging the gap between what AI tools can do and how people are actually using them.

The collaboration will include providing enterprise-grade ChatGPT Edu access, structured onboarding, discipline-specific implementation guidance, and responsible-use frameworks aligned with institutional policies. For instance, IIT Delhi will focus on engineering-led innovation and advanced research, while IIM Ahmedabad will integrate AI fluency into management education across various disciplines. AIIMS New Delhi will explore AI applications in medical education and clinical training.

Timeline and What's Next

The initiative is expected to support over 100,000 students, faculty, and staff over the coming year. The programme will introduce campus-wide ChatGPT Edu access, faculty enablement programmes, and responsible-use frameworks. Additionally, IIM Ahmedabad and Manipal Academy of Higher Education will deploy OpenAI certifications to formalize structured AI capability pathways within their programmes.

Beyond university campuses, OpenAI is also collaborating with Indian ed-tech platforms such as PhysicsWallah, upGrad, and HCL GUVI to launch structured AI courses focusing on fundamentals and practical ChatGPT applications.

Context and Background

India is experiencing a significant push towards integrating AI into its education system. The Union government has announced plans to integrate AI into teaching and learning across all education levels from the 2026-27 academic year, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Initiatives like OpenAI's university partnerships complement these national efforts to scale AI skills and build domestic capacity, positioning India as a major global talent market in artificial intelligence.

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI has partnered with leading Indian universities, including IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, to integrate AI into educational programmes.
• The initiative aims to equip over 100,000 students, faculty, and staff with essential AI skills over the next year.
• The collaboration focuses on embedding AI systematically across academic curricula and operations, promoting responsible use.
• Raghav Gupta, Head of Education, OpenAI India, highlighted the necessity of AI literacy for a future-ready workforce.
• The partnerships extend to providing ChatGPT Edu access and facilitating AI certifications at some institutions.

People Also Ask

• What is the primary objective of OpenAI's collaboration with Indian universities?
  The primary objective is to integrate artificial intelligence into various educational programs to equip over 100,000 students, faculty, and staff with essential AI skills. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between AI tool capabilities and their practical application, addressing the evolving demands of a tech-driven economy.

• Which Indian educational institutions are part of this OpenAI initiative?
  The first cohort of Indian institutions involved in this initiative includes IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), and Pearl Academy.

• Who is Raghav Gupta and what is his role in this initiative?
  Raghav Gupta is the Head of Education, OpenAI India. He emphasized the critical role of AI literacy in preparing a future-ready generation and highlighted that educational institutions are vital for bridging the gap between AI tool capabilities and their practical use.

• How will AI skills be extended beyond university campuses through this initiative?
  Beyond university campuses, OpenAI is collaborating with Indian ed-tech platforms such as PhysicsWallah, upGrad, and HCL GUVI. These platforms will launch structured courses on AI fundamentals and practical ChatGPT applications for students and early-career professionals across the country.

Last Updated: February 19, 2026