Accenture, a global professional services company, is set to acquire Udacity, a leading digital education platform, in a move to enhance its learning capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI). This acquisition comes as Accenture commits a significant investment of $1 billion to develop LearnVantage, a technology-focused learning platform.

While the financial details of the Udacity acquisition remain undisclosed, Accenture’s focus is clear: to address the increasing demand for AI skills. Kishore Durg, global lead of Accenture LearnVantage, emphasized, “The rise of generative AI represents one of the most transformative changes in how work gets done.” He further highlighted the necessity for enterprises to equip their workforce with skills in cloud computing, data analysis, and AI to drive digital transformation successfully.

Udacity, founded in 2011, brings a wealth of expertise in delivering technology courses tailored to industry needs. With its extensive library of content and network of experts, Udacity has served over 21 million learners globally. The acquisition underscores Accenture’s commitment to scaling its learning capabilities and providing personalized training experiences.

Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture, emphasized the importance of technology skills in today’s workforce, stating, “We are passionate about helping our clients become ‘talent creators’—with people at the center of their reinvention using technology, data, and AI.” She highlighted Accenture’s investment in industry-specific training to empower organizations and individuals to thrive in the digital economy.

As part of Accenture LearnVantage, the AI-native learning platform will utilize a recommendation engine to deliver personalized learning experiences for technical teams, business users, C-suite executives, and board members. This comprehensive approach aims to bridge skill gaps and enable organizations to achieve greater business value through technology adoption.

The acquisition of Udacity is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Upon completion, Udacity’s team of more than 230 professionals will join Accenture LearnVantage, enhancing the platform’s capabilities in delivering industry-relevant training.

Accenture’s commitment to investing in learning and development reflects its vision of driving digital innovation and empowering individuals and organizations to succeed in an AI-driven world. Through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, Accenture continues to position itself as a leader in technology-driven solutions, creating tangible value for clients worldwide.