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Artificial intelligence is pushing experienced technology professionals to return to formal learning. A collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and upGrad has seen a sharp rise in enrolments for its executive AI programmes, prompting the partners to expand the portfolio from four courses to seven.
The programmes have recorded a threefold quarter-on-quarter increase in enrolments, according to data shared by IIT Kharagpur and upGrad. The initiative, announced in April 2026, has attracted learners from 133 cities in India and seven countries, including the UAE, US, UK, Germany, Canada, Australia and Kuwait.
IIT Kharagpur AI Courses Attract Experienced Professionals
The programmes are drawing professionals who are already well into their careers rather than only early-career technology workers.
The median work experience of enrolled learners is 12 years, while nearly 63 per cent have more than 10 years of professional experience. The participants include vice-presidents, principal engineers, engineering managers, technology leads, staff software engineers, senior consultants and data scientists.
Professionals from companies including TCS, JPMorgan Chase, Infosys, Accenture, Deloitte, IBM, Oracle, Wipro, Salesforce and Qualcomm are among those enrolled, according to the programme data.
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The initial portfolio included programmes covering Generative AI, AI-native software engineering, applied AI and machine learning, and technology and AI leadership.
The expanded portfolio now includes courses focused on AI product development, systems and services, data science and agentic AI, and fintech and AI. The courses are designed around different roles and applications rather than offering a single general AI programme.
Demand has been particularly strong for programmes focused on practical AI applications. The Executive Post Graduate Certificate in Generative AI and Agentic AI and the Executive Post Graduate Certificate in Applied AI and Machine Learning have each recorded twofold quarter-on-quarter growth in enrolments.
Bengaluru, Hyderabad And Pune Lead Demand
The demand for these programmes is coming from several major technology centres. Bengaluru has emerged as the largest learner hub, followed by Hyderabad and Pune. Professionals from Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata and Chennai are also enrolling.
Technology services, consulting and financial services together account for nearly half of the learner base, according to the data shared by the partners.
Why Experienced Professionals Are Learning AI
The rise in enrolments comes as AI is changing the way technology companies develop software, analyse data and build products. For professionals who have spent years working in technology, learning new AI tools and methods can be part of staying relevant as their roles change.
IIT Kharagpur Director Prof Suman Chakraborty said the partnership reflects the growing importance of lifelong learning as AI changes industries and workplaces.
The collaboration is IIT Kharagpur's first online executive education portfolio, bringing its academic programmes to working professionals beyond the institute's campus.
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