In a bustling convention center here, amid the hum of excited chatter from over 1,200 students and the virtual buzz of 20,000 more tuning in nationwide, ServiceNow unveiled a bold new chapter in India’s digital education sector: ServiceNow University. The launch, marked by the inaugural AI Skills Summit, wasn’t just an announcement—it felt like a clarion call for a generation racing to keep pace with artificial intelligence’s relentless advance.
Picture this: A 20-year-old computer science student from a small town in Andhra Pradesh, logging into a free platform that gamifies learning like her favorite mobile game, earning badges for mastering AI-driven workflows, and charting a career path in data engineering—all tailored to India’s booming tech job market.
That’s the promise of ServiceNow University, a free, AI-powered learning hub designed to upskill one million Indian learners by 2027. It’s part of a global ambition to reach three million learners worldwide, building on the platform’s current base of 318,000 active users and 116,000 certified professionals.
ServiceNow, the NYSE-listed AI platform for business transformation, has long eyed India as its fastest-growing market. But as Sumeet Mathur, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of ServiceNow’s India Technology & Business Center, put it during the summit, the urgency is palpable. “Organizations are adopting AI at record speed, but there simply aren’t enough skilled professionals to power this transformation,” Mathur said. “Our research shows that 26% of Indian organizations are still uncertain about the skills their people will need, even as AI reshapes work at record speed. That uncertainty is exactly what ServiceNow University is designed to address.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher. According to ServiceNow’s 2025 AI Skills Research, agentic AI—systems that act autonomously on complex tasks—will reshape over 10.35 million jobs in India by 2030. Roles in software development, cybersecurity, and platform management will evolve, demanding a blend of technical prowess and “human skills” like ethical decision-making in AI contexts. Yet, the talent pipeline lags. Enter ServiceNow University: a digital campus where learning is bite-sized, personalized, and relentlessly engaging.
At its core is “The University of You,” an AI-driven engine that curates content based on a learner’s goals, progress, and even quirks—tracking achievements like a personal coach. Courses come in digestible modules, blending AI fluency (knowing how to use tools like generative models) with hands-on technical training and soft skills for leadership in AI teams. India-specific pathways target high-demand roles: administrators building secure IT infrastructures, developers coding AI integrations, implementers deploying enterprise solutions, platform owners optimizing workflows, and SecOps pros fortifying against cyber threats. Completing assessments earns digital credentials—stackable badges and certifications that shine on LinkedIn or a resume, signaling to employers: “I’m AI-ready.”
What sets it apart from the sea of online courses? Gamification. Learners rack up points, climb ranks, and unlock levels, turning dry certification prep into an addictive quest. “It’s like Duolingo meets LinkedIn Learning, but laser-focused on enterprise AI,” says Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, ServiceNow’s Managing Director and Group Vice President for India and SAARC, who earlier this year hinted at this million-learner goal in an interview.
Early adopters, including university students funneled through partner programs, are already landing early-career gigs with ServiceNow’s ecosystem of clients and partners.
The launch wasn’t a solo act. The summit drew heavyweights: representatives from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and India’s Ministry of Education, alongside NASSCOM, Future Skills Prime, and the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation. Academic partners like IITs and state universities are integrating the platform into curricula, while ecosystem players—think LTIMindtree, a summit sponsor—pledged to co-create talent pipelines. “We reinforced our commitment to strengthening the ServiceNow talent ecosystem,” LTIMindtree posted on X, highlighting sessions on agentic AI and inclusive skilling led by their execs Seetaram Veladi and Amarnath Juluri. The vibe? Electric. Students grilled panelists on everything from AI ethics to job placement rates, their questions underscoring a hunger for real-world relevance.
For Priya Sharma, a third-year engineering student from Hyderabad who attended in person, the summit was a revelation. “I’ve taken free MOOCs before, but they felt generic,” she shares. “Here, the pathways are built for jobs in Indian firms—web dev with AI plugins, SecOps for fintech. And the badges? That’s motivation I can show my professors.” Priya’s story echoes a broader narrative: India’s youth, 65% under 35, represent a demographic dividend teetering on the edge of disruption. With unemployment hovering around 8% for graduates, platforms like this could tip the scales toward opportunity.
Critics might quibble— is this corporate philanthropy or savvy talent scouting? ServiceNow, after all, benefits from a skilled workforce feeding its customer base. But the collaborations with government bodies suggest a genuine public-private push. As Mathur noted, “We’re doubling down on our commitment to equip Indian learners with future-ready AI skills, gamified journeys, and resilient career pathways for the digital economy of tomorrow.”
As the summit wrapped, the real work began. ServiceNow University is live now at learning.servicenow.com, open to students, professionals, employees, and partners across India. No fees, no barriers—just a login and a drive to level up. In a country where AI could automate routine tasks but amplify creative ones, this isn’t just education; it’s empowerment. One million learners by 2027? If the energy in Hyderabad is any indication, they’re off to a running start.
Naorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
Naorem Mohen
View More PostsNaorem Mohen is the Editor of Signpost News. Explore his views and opinion on X: @laimacha.
