OpenAI has expanded its leadership team in India by appointing Raghav Gupta, former Managing Director of Coursera India and APAC, as the new head of its education vertical in India and the Asia-Pacific region. The move highlights OpenAI’s focus on building localized strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into education, a sector undergoing rapid transformation in the country.

Strengthening OpenAI’s India Strategy

The appointment comes just days after OpenAI confirmed plans to establish its first office in New Delhi, signaling its intent to scale operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing AI markets. With a large student population, a strong edtech ecosystem, and rising demand for AI-driven tools, India is a crucial geography for the company.

OpenAI has been positioning itself not only as a technology leader but also as a partner for sectors like education, financial services, and healthcare. By bringing in a seasoned executive with deep experience in scaling digital learning, the company is aligning itself with local needs.

Raghav Gupta’s Experience

At Coursera, Gupta was instrumental in expanding the platform’s reach in India and Asia-Pacific. He helped establish partnerships with universities, corporates, and government bodies, making Coursera one of the leading online learning platforms in the region. His background in consulting and strategy, along with his leadership in edtech, equips him to steer OpenAI’s education-focused initiatives in India.

Industry observers note that OpenAI’s appointment of Gupta reflects a shift from a purely technology-led approach to one that prioritizes ecosystem building and long-term partnerships.

AI in Education: A Growing Market

India has seen exponential growth in AI-powered education tools, from adaptive learning apps to AI-enabled testing and evaluation systems. With the government encouraging digital skilling and the private sector investing heavily in edtech, analysts estimate that India’s AI-in-education market could surpass $2 billion by 2030.

Companies like Byju’s, upGrad, and Vedantu have already incorporated AI into personalization and content delivery. OpenAI’s entry into this space could provide a significant boost by bringing advanced generative AI capabilities directly into learning and assessment processes.

Implications for the Edtech Ecosystem

Gupta’s appointment is expected to focus on three main areas:

1. Collaboration with education institutions: Helping schools and universities adopt AI responsibly for curriculum design, student assessment, and personalized learning.
2. Skilling and workforce readiness: Expanding AI literacy and skill-building programs to prepare India’s large workforce for an AI-driven economy.
3. Partnerships with edtech players: Integrating OpenAI’s technology into established platforms to accelerate innovation.

The broader question, however, is how AI can be introduced without widening inequalities in education. While urban and well-funded schools may quickly adopt AI tools, rural areas could face challenges of access and affordability. Experts argue that OpenAI will need to balance innovation with inclusivity.

Expert Commentary

Education strategists suggest that Gupta’s appointment underscores OpenAI’s recognition of India’s dual role: both as a consumer of AI-powered education and as a hub for global AI talent. “India has the scale and demand to experiment with AI in classrooms and workplaces. But success will depend on ensuring that tools are affordable, context-aware, and responsibly deployed,” noted one analyst.

What’s Next

As OpenAI expands its presence in India, its efforts in education are expected to serve as a test case for how generative AI can be responsibly applied in high-impact, highly regulated sectors. Gupta’s leadership will be closely watched by both industry peers and policymakers.

If executed well, OpenAI’s India strategy could become a blueprint for other emerging markets where technology adoption is rapid but must be paired with governance and accessibility.