Edtech and upskilling company upGrad has partnered with OpenAI to integrate advanced
generative AI tools across its learning ecosystem. The announcement was made at the India
AI Impact Summit 2026 and aims to mainstream applied AI learning in India.
Under the partnership, upGrad will embed OpenAI’s latest tools—ChatGPT, Codex, and the
ChatGPT Atlas—directly into its programmes. The move aims to create a seamless bridge
between real-time AI interaction and credentialed academic learning.
A central pillar of the collaboration is the shift from basic conversational AI to applied
technical utility. Learners will have access to dedicated ChatGPT Foundations certifications
designed to move beyond simple prompting into deeper technical fluency. upGrad will also
integrate Codex into its data science and full-stack development courses through engineering
and data labs, enabling students to tackle complex technical assignments with AI-supported
coding assistance.
In addition, ChatGPT Atlas, equipped with its native Agent Mode, will support research and
workflow automation, helping learners streamline information gathering and analytical tasks.
Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder and Chairperson of upGrad, said the collaboration would help
embed AI capability into the country’s workforce fabric.
“upGrad’s collaboration with OpenAI is an important step in making AI skills a core part of
India’s workforce DNA. Real transformation happens when access meets ambition, and this
is about giving our learners direct access to frontier AI tools,” he said in a statement. “The
more we invest in capability at scale, the faster India moves from being a talent supplier to a
product and innovation hub.”
Founded in 2015, upGrad offers online and hybrid skilling programmes across consumer and
enterprise segments, partnering with Indian and global universities to deliver diplomas,
master’s degrees and executive doctorates. The company said the new partnership reinforces
its alignment with India’s ‘AI for All’ vision, aiming to democratise access to advanced AI
literacy at scale.
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