Latest news with #AIAppreciationDay
Hi Dubai
2 days ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Coursera Celebrates AI Appreciation Day with New GenAI Certificates and Specializations
Coursera, Inc. (NYSE: COUR), a leading global online learning platform, is celebrating AI Appreciation Day by announcing an expanded range of AI-focused Professional Certificates, courses, and Specializations from leading industry and university partners. With this launch, Coursera's Generative AI (GenAI) catalog now includes over 925 courses designed to equip learners worldwide with essential AI skills. As automation accelerates and industries transform, the need for reskilling has never been more pressing. With 46% of on-the-job skills expected to change by 2030, compared to 39% globally, the region is seeing one of the world's most pronounced rates of skills transformation, underscoring the critical importance of equipping workers with new, in-demand capabilities. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, GenAI enrollments on Coursera have surpassed 500,000, with one enrollment every two minutes in 2025. Learners in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have each surpassed 100,000 enrollments, averaging one new enrollment every nine minutes. Since ChatGPT's launch less than three years ago, learners in MENA have spent nearly half a million learning hours on Coursera developing GenAI skills, equivalent to over 53 years of learning. While overall demand is strong, 80% of GenAI course enrollments in the region are at the beginner level, highlighting the need to build more advanced skills. Demand spans generations, with millennials leading at 60% of enrollments, followed by Gen X (21%), Gen Z (18%), and Boomers (1%). However, gender disparities remain, with women making up only 25% of GenAI enrollments in MENA, signaling a clear need for targeted initiatives to foster more inclusive participation. Coursera has also been at the forefront of integrating AI to transform learning experiences and expand access. The company's GenAI-powered tools include Coursera Coach, a personal tutor powered by LLMs, helping learners with questions, feedback, and summaries, as well as career advice. Coursera data shows that learners using Coach are 9.5% more likely to pass quizzes on the first attempt and complete 11.6% more items per learning hour. Learners in MENA have actively engaged with Coursera Coach, with 175K learners exchanging nearly 240K messages. Furthermore, to break language barriers and boost inclusivity, Coursera has leveraged AI to translate more than 5,500 courses and 65 Professional Certificates into 26 languages, including Arabic and French. This has helped engage over 120,000 learners in MENA, driving more than 400,000 enrollments in translated content, with learners in Saudi Arabia ranking among the top three globally for engagement with these courses. Across the Middle East and North Africa, learners are embracing GenAI education at a remarkable pace to meet the changing demands of industries and workplaces. On AI Appreciation Day, we're reaffirming our commitment to support the region's learners as they build the skills shaping the future. Through collaboration with industry leaders, we're expanding access to world-class AI learning and creating personalized, inclusive AI-powered pathways. said Kais Zribi, Coursera's General Manager for the Middle East and Africa. The new AI-focused offerings announced today on Coursera include: Seven Professional Certificates from AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, IBM, and Snowflake Two new certificates from AWS Two new certificates from Microsoft Google Cloud Generative AI Leader: Go beyond the basics, and learn to transform organizations with GenAI workflows and AI agents. IBM RAG and Agentic AI: Advance your AI career by developing RAG, multimodal, and agentic apps with the latest tools, including LangChain and CrewAI. Snowflake Generative AI: Use Snowflake and Streamlit to create and fine-tune GenAI apps that unlock real-time data insights with RAG. New courses and Specializations from IBM, Vanderbilt University, and more News Source: Burson Global
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
AI revolution brings innovation & anxiety across global sectors
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is swiftly transforming the way businesses operate, heightening both innovation and complexity across sectors. As AI Appreciation Day brings global attention to these advances, industry leaders across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and beyond are urging organisations to not only recognise AI's achievements but also navigate its associated challenges with care, strategy, and inclusivity. AI - not just a tool but a vital resource Daniel Hein, Field CTO at Informatica Asia Pacific and Japan, highlights the rapid adoption of Generative AI in APAC, noting the region's ambition to stay ahead on the global stage. "AI goes beyond just a tool – it's a vital resource. It supports smarter adaptation measures, accelerates resilience planning, and fosters inclusive innovation that transcends industries and national boundaries," says Hein. He outlines the influence of Agentic AI in optimising decision-making for sectors such as energy and finance, while Generative AI is democratising problem-solving, empowering even non-technical users. However, Hein stresses that organisations must strengthen data foundations and prioritise continuous upskilling, especially in AI literacy. "Investing in strong data infrastructure and continuous upskilling is critical to fully harness AI's capabilities and future-proof organisations," he advises. AI extends beyond productivity gains AI's influence extends well beyond productivity gains. In cybersecurity, Bernard Montel, EMEA Technical Director and Security Strategist at Tenable, describes how AI is integral to modern defence strategies. Montel points to the technology's ability to analyse vast datasets, automate threat detection, and maintain secure systems. He emphasises that AI should be viewed as an augmenting tool, not a replacement for human talent. "This means designing systems where AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing humans to focus on complex problem-solving, innovation, and ethical oversight," Montel explains. Yet, as AI grows in sophistication, so do the threats. The proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes and automated malware has heightened the need for robust cyber defence strategies, including exposure management and comprehensive employee training. Montel urges organisations to embrace ethical AI development and continued vigilance to unlock the technology's full potential while protecting digital infrastructure. The benefit and risk of AI development The software development sector has also felt AI's rapid impact. Nick Durkin, Field CTO at Harness, acknowledges the increased speed of code generation delivered by AI, but warns of a wider 'blast radius' of errors if flawed AI-generated code enters production. "Generating code is easy, but getting it safely into production is the hard part," Durkin notes. He advocates for embedding AI throughout the software delivery lifecycle, not just in code writing, to support higher-quality and safer software deployments. Meanwhile, Michael Bachman, Head of Architecture and AI Strategy at Boomi Innovation Group, points to the emergence of the "Agent Economy," in which autonomous AI agents operate across platforms. With the increasing complexity and the risk of "agent sprawl," Bachman stresses the necessity for a centralised framework to govern AI agents and manage their interactions safely and effectively. AI adoption grows, but anxiety remains The legal field is no exception to AI's reach. Jennifer Poon, Legal Solutions Director at NetDocuments, observes that lawyers themselves are now leading technology adoption, recognising AI's potential to boost productivity by automating routine work. She recommends integrating AI directly into the workflows and systems lawyers already use, ensuring the technology enhances precision and security without disrupting established protocols. Model Context Protocol (MCP), described by Mehdi Goodarzi, Global Head – GenAI Consulting at Hexaware Technologies, offers a promising way to scale AI responsibly across enterprises. MCP enables large language models and agents to share context and interact "intelligently" across platforms, but Goodarzi highlights the need for ongoing development of governance and privacy standards as the technology matures. Despite the enthusiasm among business leaders, research from WalkMe has uncovered significant employee anxiety about AI adoption. Vivek Behl, VP Strategy, warns that many workers, especially from younger generations, feel overwhelmed and left behind by the swift arrival of new tools. Survey data from WalkMe and Opinium indicates that 71% of UK office workers feel new AI tools are being introduced faster than they can learn to use them, while nearly half report feeling more worried than excited about AI at work. Behl calls on organisations to focus on employee experience and support, warning that "digital adoption isn't just a nice-to-have – it's now essential to realising AI's full value." Ensuring that employees are comfortable and proficient with new tools is crucial to embedding AI successfully and mitigating risks associated with rapid technological change. Success isn't measured by innovation alone, but responsible integration As AI matures, its appreciation day serves as a timely reminder: success is not measured by technological innovation alone, but by an organisation's ability to integrate AI responsibly, support its workforce, and safeguard against new risks. The coming years will likely see even more transformative opportunities - and challenges - as businesses seek to balance AI's promise with prudent governance and a focus on human-centred values.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business Standard
AI Appreciation Day: 58% students globally use AI for studies, shows survey
In India, 63 per cent of respondents use the technology for academic purposes including homework, projects, additional understanding of material taught in school, and more Udisha Srivastav New Delhi On the occasion of AI Appreciation Day on July 16, ed-tech firm BrightCHAMPS released its 'Students Speak AI Report' which interviewed 1,425 students across 29 countries. The report reveals that compared to 58 per cent students globally who use AI for studies in 2025, 63 per cent of respondents in India use the technology for academic purposes including homework, projects, additional understanding of material taught in school, and more. GFX 1: AI USAGE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES UAE 80% Indonesia 71% Vietnam 63% India 63% USA 54% GFX 2: TOP AI TOOLS IN USE GLOBALLY (Pie Chart) ChatGPT 46% Gemini 14% Grammarly 4% Other Tools 15% Don't use AI tools at all 21% GFX 3: FREQUENCY OF USE OF AI TOOLS Daily 10% Rarely 8% Weekly 23% Not allowed to use AI tools 21% Whenever I have a task to complete 38% GFX 4: DIFFICULT TO DIFFERENTIATE B/W REAL & AI-GENERATED CONTENT India 50% Vietnam 29% Indonesia 26% UAE 20% USA 18% GFX 5: PURPOSE OF USING AI IN INDIA Searching/Surfing 38% Homework 38% Language Help 24%
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
AI grows up: India Inc ditches disconnected pilots, picks autonomy
When Tesla officially entered India on July 14, 2025, nearly a decade after Elon Musk first teased its debut, it wasn't just another EV launch—it was a signal. As one of the world's most AI-intensive companies, Tesla's presence underscores the growing significance of India as both a market and a testbed for intelligent systems—from autonomous mobility to enterprise-scale decisioning platforms. Fittingly, the milestone coincides with AI Appreciation Day, prompting a reflection on India's evolving relationship with artificial intelligence—one that began far earlier than many realise. India's first brush with AI dates back to the 1960s, with the pioneering work of Professor H.N. Mahabala, and gained formal momentum in 1986 when the UNDP-backed Knowledge-Based Computing Systems (KBCS) initiative encouraged focused research and academic programs. While countries like the United States led early innovation, India is now accelerating rapidly, with government policy, private sector investment, and grassroots innovation converging. According to a recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report titled 'India's AI Leap: BCG Perspective on Emerging Challengers,' the Indian AI market is poised to grow more than threefold, reaching ₹145,384 crore (US$17 billion) by 2027, placing it among the fastest-growing AI economies globally. But this surge is not just about numbers—it's about mindset. 'This kind of growth is possible only if we move away from viewing AI as a set of disconnected pilots,' says Nitin Gupta, Vice President, Data, Analytics & AI at Mastercard. 'AI must be treated as a strategic operating layer, with governance and adoption plans that span the enterprise. What matters now is finding the right balance between autonomy and accountability.' India Inc. is now grappling with how to embed AI across business functions—not just within IT or data science teams, but across supply chains, compliance, customer service, and product development. At the same time, the conversation is shifting toward agentic AI—systems that are capable of context-aware, goal-driven autonomy. For example, in education, PhysicsWallah is applying AI to understand student needs and dynamically guide them through learning journeys. From adaptive tutoring to real-time emotional support, AI is no longer just answering queries—it's proactively shaping outcomes, backed by continuous feedback and human oversight. 'In any sector—especially ones like education—what matters is not just what AI can do, but how well it understands the individual using it,' says Sandeep Varma, Head of AI at PhysicsWallah. This idea of personalised, responsible AI resonates strongly in healthcare, where ethical concerns, patient trust, and regulatory alignment are paramount. 'India's businesses are clearly embracing AI with more purpose now,' notes Mitali Dutta Das, Head of Data Science and AI&ML - Enterprise IT at Philips. 'But in areas like healthcare, scaling isn't just a technical question—it's a human one. From ethics to regulation to talent, the entire ecosystem needs to evolve together.' As enterprises prepare for the next phase of AI maturity, AI Appreciation Day becomes more than a celebration. It's a checkpoint—a moment to recognise that India's AI journey is no longer about catching up. It's about leading with context, responsibility, and cultural clarity. With Tesla's AI-driven operations entering India and with domestic enterprises embracing intelligent systems across sectors, the message is clear: India is ready—not just to adopt AI, but to define it on its own terms.
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
On AI Appreciation Day, tech leaders call for inclusive, human-centric innovation
New Delhi [India] July 16 (ANI): As India observes AI Appreciation Day, industry leaders from across the technology, startup, and enterprise landscape highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in shaping the country's digital future, adding that AI has become an enabler of growth and innovation. From startups to multinationals, the leaders say AI is no longer just a tool; it is a catalyst for inclusive progress, digital equity, and sustainable innovation. AI Appreciation Day celebrates the country's growing role in the global AI landscape. The AI journey of India commenced in the 1960s with early computer science research. A significant step came in 1986 with the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems project. In the 1990s, organisations like C-DAC advanced supercomputing and early AI work. By the 2000s, IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro began investing in AI, while universities built a strong talent pool. The Digital India push in 2015 and NITI Aayog's 2018 AI strategy accelerated growth. "AI is an enabler of growth and innovation for every corner of India," said Ganesh Gopalan, Co-Founder & CEO of emphasing AI's unique potential in India's multilingual and digitally diverse environment. "On AI Appreciation Day, we celebrate the incredible strides made in voice AI, small language models, and generative AI that bridge linguistic diversity and democratise digital access," he said. Contentstack Co-founder & CTO Nishant Patel sees AI as the silent enabler behind modern digital innovation. "AI has become the engine room of modern digital innovation, quietly removing friction, automating the mundane, and letting creators and developers focus on what truly moves the needle," Patel added. India has emerged as the fastest-growing developer population globally and ranks second in public generative AI projects on GitHub. The country is home to 16 per cent of the world's AI talent, showcasing its growing influence in AI innovation and adoption. For HerKey CTO Murugan Anjunan, AI plays a pivotal role in reshaping the workplace for women. "We don't view AI as a disruptor in isolation, but as a dynamic partner in progress... The future of work is not just AI-powered, but it is human-first, AI-enabled." Echoing similar sentiments, Divye Agarwal, Co-founder of BingeLabs, emphasised AI's impact on creative inclusion across geographies. "AI has become one of the greatest equalisers of our time... From generating content in local languages to pushing it in culturally relevant ways, AI is breaking down barriers that once felt immovable." Manish Jha, CTO of Addverb, outlined how AI is redefining automation while keeping humans at the center. "We see artificial intelligence not just as a tool, it's a catalyst that brings intelligence, adaptability, and a human-centric focus to automation." From an ecosystem perspective, AI&Beyond CEO Jaspreet Bindra offered insights into India's growing AI startup landscape. "It's been a good year for Indian AI startups, with funding increasing by about 40 per cent in 2024 to nearly USD 800 million.""Funding is still very selective, and the number of large deals has actually declined. Startups continue to face issues around data access and quality, a significant talent and skills gap, as well as limitations in GPU availability and compute infrastructure. Most importantly, early-stage funding hasn't been as encouraging as expected. That said, there's a lot of excitement around the space, and we could see an even better year ahead," Bindra added. Apart from the private sector funding, the government has approved an allocation of over ₹ 10,300 crore for the IndiaAI Mission, marking a significant step towards bolstering India's AI ecosystem. Praveen Kumar V, Founder & CEO of Thriftizer Solutions, said AI is reshaping digital commerce. "AI, for me, has automated a multitude of tasks, unrestricted the elbows on my mental framework, and let me direct my capabilities toward addressing real challenges... I expect AI to integrate fundamentally into the convention of designing and fortifying the infrastructure of digital commerce."
