Why Indiana University’s AI skills course is free
Preview:
Indiana University has made its GenAI 101 course, developed by Kelley School of Business faculty, free and open to anyone, no application or tuition required. With 92% of companies planning to increase AI investment and the workforce transition accelerating, IU President Pamela Whitten frames the move as a fulfillment of the public university mission: keeping knowledge accessible at a moment of urgent societal need. The piece calls on other public research universities to act at similar scale before access gaps widen into career gaps.
Originally published: May 15, 2026
Author: Pamela Whitten
Position: President
Institution: Indiana University
Published by: University Business