To fortify their presence in the thriving online education sector, Coursera, a US-based company, has leveraged generative artificial intelligence to translate 4,000 courses into Hindi. This move aims to provide Hindi-speaking audiences access to renowned courses such as “Generative AI for Everyone” by DeepLearning.AI, “The Science of Well-Being” by Yale University, “Programming for Everybody” by the University of Michigan, and “What is Data Science?” by IBM, among others.
The Power of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is a groundbreaking technology that empowers machines to autonomously generate content, spanning text, images, and other media. By leveraging advanced algorithms and learning patterns from extensive datasets, GenAI excels in creating content that remarkably mimics human-like output. Its applications extend across diverse fields, from language translation and content creation to the realms of creative arts, driving the development of innovative solutions across industries.
Global Reach, Local Impact
Coursera, known for offering online courses from top global universities, established its presence in India in 2012. More than 40 courses from India’s leading institutions, including BITS Pilani, IIM Ahmedabad, and the Indian School of Business (ISB), will be translated into 18 languages, including French, Spanish, German, and Thai.
Indian Enrollments Surge
India has surpassed the United States in terms of course enrollments, experiencing a significant growth of 18.6 million new learner registrations during the pandemic. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have witnessed substantial spikes, with enrollments from unexpected regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Manipur, Bihar, Mizoram, and Kerala growing at impressive compound annual growth rates (CAGR).
Tapping into the Hindi Belt
Recognizing this surge, Coursera plans to focus on the Hindi-speaking audience in India. This initiative aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes flexibility in course curricula and the promotion of Indian languages. While Coursera currently relies on AI tools for translation, they are open to hiring translators based on user feedback in the future.
Indian Educators and Future Prospects
Coursera’s recent addition of “Leadership Skills” by IIM Ahmedabad, led by an Indian educator, has gained popularity, attracting over two lakh registrations. Raghav Gupta, Managing Director, India and APAC, Coursera, highlights the course’s relevance for both the business community and individuals seeking everyday skills.
Additionally, Coursera has introduced two new programs from Indian institutions: “Advanced Digital Transformation” from IIM Ahmedabad and “Master of Science in Information Technology” from IIIT Hyderabad.