OpenAI Launches India-First Learning Accelerator With IIT Madras

• OpenAI, IIT Madras launch $500K AI-in-education research.
• 500,000 ChatGPT licenses to be given to teachers, students.
• Initiative to boost AI literacy and accessibility in India.

OpenAI launched an initiative focused on India that seeks to equip educators with AI tools and training, while also announcing a new research partnership with IIT Madras, supported by $500,000 in funding from the creator of ChatGPT.

The emphasis on education occurs as the company prepares to launch its first office in New Delhi, India, later this year. Notable founder Sam Altman is also set to visit the country next month.

Under the agreement revealed on Monday, IIT Madras will carry out extensive research on how AI can enhance educational results and innovate teaching techniques, in accordance with findings from cognitive neuroscience. Results will be disclosed transparently and guide upcoming product development.

Significantly, India also has the highest number of students using ChatGPT globally. To reinforce its dedication to educational opportunities via AI in India and the Asia Pacific, OpenAI has designated Raghav Gupta as the Head of Education for India and the Asia Pacific region. Gupta has more than twenty years of experience in education and consumer technology, previously serving as Managing Director for India and Asia Pacific at Coursera.

Gupta will spearhead OpenAI's efforts to enhance education through AI and improve the accessibility of OpenAI's tools for educators, students, and educational researchers throughout India.

In the upcoming six months, OpenAI aims to provide half of the million ChatGPT licenses and training to teachers and students throughout India via collaborations with the Ministry of Education (MoE), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and ARISE affiliated schools, according to the company.

OpenAI Learning Accelerator, an India-first initiative within the AI Impact Summit, aligns with the company’s commitment to promote research, accessibility, and training on AI in education throughout India.

The company stated that this platform seeks to provide advanced AI to educators in India and millions of learners across the country via AI research, training, and implementation.

One of the partnerships revealed on Monday is a newly formed research collaboration involving IIT Madras and OpenAI, supported by $500,000 in funding from OpenAI.

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In collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), OpenAI announced its intention to offer ChatGPT access to teachers in government schools (Classes 1-12), aiding in lesson planning, enhancing student engagement, and elevating outcomes, while the agreement with AICTE focuses on delivering ChatGPT access to technical institutes across the country, boosting digital skills, employability, and practical applications of AI.

AI possesses remarkable potential to enhance both educators and learners. To achieve that potential, we need to collaborate closely with educators and institutions, stated Leah Belsky, VP of Education at OpenAI.

Every partner will collaborate with OpenAI to create and implement training programs aimed at enhancing AI literacy and confidence in educators and students, ensuring the technology is utilized efficiently and ethically. OpenAI mentioned that the collaboration with ARISE member schools will include offering K-12 educators access to ChatGPT, facilitating more tailored and responsive teaching.