S&P Global's $10M AI Youth Initiative and More! - AI in Education #37
December 27, 2025 -
AI in Education
Hi there,
Welcome to this week's edition of AI In Education Weekly.
In recent developments, Udemy has launched an AI-powered microlearning experience aimed at transforming traditional courses into adaptive, short-form activities. This initiative is designed to offer personalized learning experiences on both mobile and desktop platforms. Meanwhile, S&P Global has introduced StepForward, a $10 million initiative to prepare youth for AI-driven careers by supporting nonprofits focused on workforce readiness and AI education.
In a significant move within the online education sector, Coursera and Udemy have announced a $2.5 billion all-stock merger. This merger aims to enhance AI training and workforce reskilling offerings. Additionally, the ACT Bar Association has partnered with AI Legal Assistant to provide AI training for barristers, starting from January 2026. This partnership will include hands-on training and technical updates, reflecting the growing integration of AI in legal education.
Welcome to this week's edition of AI In Education Weekly.
In recent developments, Udemy has launched an AI-powered microlearning experience aimed at transforming traditional courses into adaptive, short-form activities. This initiative is designed to offer personalized learning experiences on both mobile and desktop platforms. Meanwhile, S&P Global has introduced StepForward, a $10 million initiative to prepare youth for AI-driven careers by supporting nonprofits focused on workforce readiness and AI education.
In a significant move within the online education sector, Coursera and Udemy have announced a $2.5 billion all-stock merger. This merger aims to enhance AI training and workforce reskilling offerings. Additionally, the ACT Bar Association has partnered with AI Legal Assistant to provide AI training for barristers, starting from January 2026. This partnership will include hands-on training and technical updates, reflecting the growing integration of AI in legal education.
Udemy Launches AI Microlearning for Skill Enhancement
Udemy is rolling out an AI-powered microlearning experience to transform traditional courses into adaptive, short-form activities, enhancing personalized learning. Read more
S&P Global Launches $10 Million AI Youth Initiative
On December 17, 2025, S&P Global announced StepForward, a $10 million initiative to prepare youth for AI-driven careers. The program will aid nonprofits in workforce readiness and AI education over three years. Read more
Coursera to Acquire Udemy in $2.5 Billion Deal
Coursera plans to acquire Udemy in an all-stock deal valued at $2.5 billion. The merger aims to enhance AI training offerings and is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending approvals. Read more
ACT Bar Association Partners with AI Legal Assistant for Training
The ACT Bar Association has partnered with AI Legal Assistant to offer AI training for barristers from January 2026 to June 2027, including hands-on training and technical updates. Read more
OpenAI Partners with Universities for ChatGPT Access
OpenAI has partnered with over 35 public universities, including the California State University system, to provide ChatGPT access to students and faculty. The initiative involves a $15 million annual contract, reflecting the growing adoption of AI tools in education. Read more
FSU Receives $5M for AI Speech Tools
Researchers from Florida State University have been awarded a $5 million grant to develop AI tools to assist children with speech and language challenges. Read more
Odisha Government Partners with OpenAI for AI Skills Development
The Odisha Government has partnered with OpenAI to enhance AI skills and promote responsible AI adoption in the state through training programs and AI-powered solutions. Read more
Straia Launches with Funding for AI in Higher Education
EdTech startup Straia has emerged from stealth mode with pre-seed funding from a16z Speedrun and others, aiming to tackle data fragmentation in higher education. Read more
Retro's Splat App Turns Photos into Kids' Coloring Pages
The team at Retro has launched an app named Splat that utilizes AI to transform photos into coloring book pages for children, offering a variety of artistic styles for printable or digital use. Read more
We hope you enjoyed this article.
Consider subscribing to one of our newsletters like AI in Education or Daily AI Brief.
Also, consider following us on social media:
More from: AI in Education
12/18
Coursera to Acquire Udemy in $2.5 Billion All-Stock Deal
12/17
Taipei Forum Promotes Youth Leadership in Responsible AI
12/17
Cognizant Expands Synapse Initiative to Reach Two Million People by 2030
12/17
Squirrel Ai’s Dr. Joleen Liang Shares Vision for Human-AI Collaboration in Education at Web Summit 2025
12/17
GSV Unveils 2026 GSV 150 Market Map Highlighting Top Digital Learning Firms
Subscribe to AI in Education
Weekly newsletter about AI in education. Covers AI-driven software for educators, schools, general innovations and regulatory updates.
