Udemy launches Innovation Studio to accelerate AI-led upskilling

Udemy has announced the launch of the Udemy Innovation Studio, marking a development in its progression from an online course marketplace to a skills-focused platform driven by artificial intelligence capabilities.

The Udemy Innovation Studio has been established with the aim to accelerate the creation and rollout of AI-powered features across the company's global platform. By providing a space to quickly prototype, test, and implement personalised and interactive skills training, the studio seeks to connect millions of learners with expert content creators worldwide.

The platform's first new offering, AI for Business Leaders, has been designed as a reskilling programme targeting executives who wish to better understand and apply artificial intelligence within their business strategies. Plans are also underway for the studio to introduce AI-powered roleplay simulations and a virtual reality tool intended for public speaking, with these features aimed at delivering scenario-based practice and immersive communication training.

Hugo Sarrazin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Udemy, explained the company's rationale behind the launch: "The Udemy Innovation Studio is where bold ideas to redefine the future of skilling and work come to life. AI is transforming what people need to know and how they apply that knowledge in every industry. The Studio is a core part of our evolution from a course marketplace to a trusted, AI-powered reskilling platform. It enables us to move faster, personalize more deeply, and scale more intelligently so we can better support the individuals and organizations who depend on Udemy to grow. Our learners and creators are essential partners in this journey: they help shape the platform, test new ideas, and drive the kind of skill development that leads to real outcomes, for careers, for businesses, and for the broader economy."

Peter Kokkinos, Vice President and Managing Director for Udemy Asia Pacific, commented on the timing of the Innovation Studio initiative: "The launch of Udemy's Innovation Studio couldn't come at a more critical moment. The pace of change in today's workplace is unprecedented, and Australian workers feel unprepared and only 1 in 3 feel fully supported by their employer when it comes to upskilling. The Innovation Studio aims to bridge that gap in skills and confidence."

The first official release from the Innovation Studio, AI for Business Leaders, is designed as a reskilling resource for non-technical executives, intending to support effective leadership in increasingly AI-oriented business environments. This course is led by Helen Lee Kupp, founder of Women Defining AI and co-founder of Future Forum, bringing experience in organisational transformation and workplace innovation.

AI for Business Leaders features a modular curriculum, updated in real time, alongside AI-assisted learning journeys tailored to each participant's professional background, role, and objectives, providing an experience that adapts as capabilities and needs evolve.

Kokkinos emphasised the anticipated impact of these offerings, adding: "We are helping learners build the capabilities they need to thrive in their current roles and unlock new career opportunities."

Central to the Innovation Studio's approach is the commitment to personalised and multi-modal learning. The studio is prioritising experiments with real-time simulations, interactive assessments, modular course pathways, and AI-enabled practice spaces that move beyond the limitations of traditional video lectures. It also intends to utilise AI-powered recommendation systems, large language models, and feedback mechanisms from its extensive instructor network to craft adaptive, goal-oriented learning experiences for each user.

The studio is developing additional simulation-based tools for realistic skills practice. These include AI-driven roleplay environments for situations such as job interviews, team feedback, and conflict resolution, as well as a VR simulator to help users practise public speaking in settings that replicate boardrooms and auditoriums. According to the firm, these additions are designed to shift learning from passive content consumption to more active, experiential engagement.

Udemy states that the introduction of AI for Business Leaders is only the initial stage, with more pilots, platform updates, and AI-powered learning pathways scheduled for the coming months. Ongoing feedback from learners and instructors will inform each development cycle, with the goal of staying responsive to market requirements.

The Innovation Studio is now integrated within Udemy's broader product and platform strategy, operating as a core function to ensure a steady incorporation of new technologies and approaches across its training landscape.