Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, Hart said India stands to benefit significantly from AI adoption, but only if it equips people with the skills needed for the changing job market.
“The Indian government forecasts that AI can add about 40% to the economy by 2035. But that opportunity will only be realized if India can upskill and reskill its population,” Hart said.
He described India as one of Coursera’s most important markets and said the country plays a critical role not only as a customer base but also in building the company’s products and operations.
“More than 20% of our workforce is in India, and that’s not just engineering and product. It spans data, operations, marketing, finance, sales and content,” he said.
According to Hart, India is Coursera’s second-largest market by registered learners after the United States, and he expects the country to overtake the US in the coming years.
“My bet is that India will surpass the US in the next few years in terms of sheer learner numbers,” he said.
Hart said the company is working closely with the government through Karmayogi Bharat and sees the initiative as an important contributor to the broader Viksit Bharat vision.
He added that Coursera is also focusing on universities and microcredentials, helped by India’s progressive stance on online education.
“Because the Indian government has a very forward-thinking approach to online learning, allowing up to 40% of credits to be taken online, we’re working closely with the NSQF to make as many microcredentials as possible credit-eligible,” Hart said.
He said employers in India are increasingly rewarding students who supplement their degrees with industry-recognized credentials.
“We see strong demand from students and employers. Indian employers are willing to pay higher salaries to graduates who have not only degrees but also microcredentials,” he said.
Coursera also reduced prices in India by around 60%, a move Hart said has helped make its offerings more accessible.
“We’ve been really pleased by the fact that we’re now more affordable and therefore more accessible to a much broader section of the population. We’ve seen that contribute to growth acceleration,” he said.
Hart said the need for workforce transformation in India is particularly acute as AI reshapes industries and jobs, creating a need for continuous learning across the economy.
“There is a real need in India for what Coursera and Udemy offer,” he said.
Watch the full conversation here
