Coursera and OpenAI partner to power learning inside ChatGPT

Global online learning platform Coursera (NYSE: COUR) announced a major milestone as it becomes one of the first partners integrated into OpenAI’s new generation of apps in ChatGPT, marking a new era for accessible, AI-driven education.

Unveiled at OpenAI’s annual DevDay, this collaboration makes Coursera the first online learning platform directly embedded within ChatGPT — allowing hundreds of millions of users worldwide to access world-class educational content without leaving the chat interface.

With over 800 million people using ChatGPT weekly, learning has emerged as one of the tool’s most common use cases.

Through this integration, users can now request the Coursera app within ChatGPT or have it automatically suggested when relevant learning topics arise in conversation.

The app provides access to Coursera’s trusted videos, courses, and learning materials from top universities and industry leaders.

“This partnership reflects Coursera and OpenAI’s shared commitment to expanding access to education and helping people everywhere learn, grow, and thrive,” said Greg Hart, CEO of Coursera. “By putting trusted, verified learning into the hands of hundreds of millions of people, we can help them gain the skills they need to pursue economic opportunity and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Turning conversations into learning experiences

The integration transforms everyday ChatGPT interactions into interactive learning sessions. A user discussing data science, for instance, may receive recommendations for relevant Coursera courses from Stanford or Google. This seamless experience enables learners to move from curiosity to credential more efficiently — discovering, exploring, and mastering skills through conversational prompts.

According to Leah Belsky, Vice President of Education at OpenAI, the collaboration highlights the synergy between AI and human expertise.

“ChatGPT is quickly becoming one of the go-to tools for people who want to learn something new. But the most powerful learning experiences happen when human expertise and AI work together,” Belsky said. “By bringing the expertise of world-class educators and institutions within Coursera into ChatGPT, learners can more easily find trusted content, build job-ready skills, move their careers forward, and unlock new opportunities.”

Built on OpenAI’s new Apps SDK, the Coursera app represents a significant leap in making high-quality education more discoverable and scalable.

The SDK enables seamless embedding of external content and services into ChatGPT’s interface, effectively turning the AI assistant into a gateway for skill-building, certification, and lifelong learning.

Empowering global learners through Generativze AI

Coursera’s participation in the first generation of ChatGPT apps underscores its strategic focus on using generative AI to enhance personalized learning. The company has already introduced several AI-powered features on its platform, including:

• Coach – an AI learning assistant that provides instant feedback and answers to questions within courses.
• Role play – a simulation tool allowing learners to practice real-world scenarios using AI-driven dialogues.
• Course builder – an innovation that helps instructors and institutions generate course outlines and content faster using AI.
• Skills tracks – a role-based solution that aligns content with in-demand job skills, helping learners progress toward career goals.

By integrating with ChatGPT, Coursera aims to extend these innovations beyond its own platform — bringing personalized, trusted learning experiences directly to where users already are.

“AI is redefining how knowledge is accessed and applied,” said Ashutosh Gupta, Managing Director for India and Asia Pacific at Coursera. “Through this partnership, we’re not just expanding access — we’re making education more intuitive, conversational, and globally inclusive.”

Speaking at Coursera Connect Philippines, Gupta expressed optimism about the growing enthusiasm for learning in the country.

“I’m very encouraged by the participation we’ve seen here in Manila — it shows the energy in the country to learn and engage,” Gupta said. “I’ve also learned that the Philippines is building the right infrastructure so that every Filipino can acquire the right skills. Hopefully, when I come back next, we’ll have even more outcomes to share. My biggest message is that learning is a lifelong journey — and we should all build a habit of learning every day.”

Accessing Coursera in ChatGPT

The Coursera app is now available to all logged-in ChatGPT users outside of the European Union across the Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans.

Currently, the app supports English, with subtitles and dubbing in select languages, and will expand its localization options in the coming months.

Users can access the Coursera app by simply asking ChatGPT to open it or by engaging in a learning-related conversation where ChatGPT will suggest Coursera as a trusted source of educational material.

The app allows users to:

• Search and watch relevant Coursera course videos directly in ChatGPT
• Explore topics based on their interests or career goals
• Receive verified educational recommendations from trusted universities and organizations
• Begin structured learning paths toward certifications and degrees

This integration also reinforces the credibility and verification of the learning experience — ensuring that users aren’t just receiving AI-generated answers, but expert-backed educational insights from Coursera’s network of 350+ partners.

Shaping the future of AI-driven learning

The Coursera-OpenAI collaboration signals a shift in how education platforms and AI systems can coexist to democratize learning. Instead of replacing educators or learning systems, generative AI becomes a facilitator — guiding learners through credible content, providing context, and making continuous education an integral part of daily conversations.

The initiative also highlights the potential of AI to address global skill gaps by bringing world-class learning within reach of anyone with an internet connection. With 183 million registered learners as of June 2025, Coursera continues to play a vital role in helping individuals, businesses, and governments upskill for a digital-first economy.

“Education has always been the great equalizer,” Gupta added. “Now, with AI as a partner, we can make it even more powerful — breaking barriers of geography, cost, and accessibility.”

As ChatGPT evolves from a conversational AI into a hub for verified applications, Coursera’s presence sets the stage for more educational organizations to join in — potentially transforming the chatbot into a one-stop destination for lifelong learning.

About Coursera

Founded in 2012 by Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera was built on a vision to make world-class education accessible to everyone. Today, it is one of the largest online learning platforms globally, offering thousands of courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, and degrees across technology, business, and data science.

Coursera is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a certified B Corp, reflecting its commitment to both financial sustainability and social impact. The platform’s continued innovation in AI-powered education ensures that learners, instructors, and institutions alike can benefit from scalable, personalized, and verified learning experiences.

To explore the Coursera app in ChatGPT, users can visit OpenAI’s Apps in ChatGPT blog or try it directly inside the ChatGPT interface starting today.