In a major boost to India’s digital skilling ecosystem and creator economy, Adobe has announced that it will provide free access to its flagship products—Photoshop, Acrobat and Firefly AI tools—to students across India. The announcement, made at the India AI Impact Summit, aligns closely with the government’s broader artificial intelligence strategy, digital transformation agenda and its push to create large-scale employment opportunities in animation, visual effects (VFX), gaming and comics by 2030.
Under this initiative, Adobe’s industry-leading creative software suite will be made available through accredited higher education institutions. The rollout will be accompanied by structured AI training programmes, updated curriculum modules and industry-recognised certifications designed to prepare students for AI-driven careers in design, digital media, content creation and emerging creative technologies. The move positions India’s student community at the forefront of generative AI adoption while strengthening the country’s pipeline of future-ready talent.
Speaking on the announcement, Shantanu Narayen, Chair and CEO of Adobe, said the initiative expands creative opportunity for millions of Indian students and accelerates Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a digitally empowered and developed India under the Viksit Bharat roadmap. The collaboration reflects growing alignment between global technology companies and India’s AI innovation ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for artificial intelligence, digital creativity and deep tech innovation.
Adobe will work with educational authorities to deploy its AI-first creative tools across thousands of schools and colleges, including institutions equipped with Content Creator Labs. The programme is also being implemented in partnership with NASSCOM FutureSkills Prime, a national digital skilling initiative backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Through this collaboration, students will gain access to free online courses and globally recognised certifications, enhancing their employability in AI, creative technology, and digital media sectors.
Adobe further highlighted that its Firefly creative AI platform integrates multiple AI models from partners including Google, OpenAI and Runway, offering flexibility and advanced generative AI capabilities for content creation. By combining AI-powered design tools with structured skilling pathways, Adobe’s initiative strengthens India’s AI workforce development strategy while accelerating innovation across the country’s fast-growing creator economy.
