From Career Upskilling to Lifelong Learning: A Q&A with 2U's Anant Agarwal

Grush: Does 2U try to offer wayfinding for learners? How do learners negotiate the numerous course offerings? How do they find a fit?

Agarwal: Navigating our extensive course offerings is a key consideration. We were one of the first online education companies to create new AI-enabled tools like our in-platform learning assistant edX Xpert and an edX ChatGPT plugin to help learners find courses that best fit their goals and interests. Learners are actively using these tools, in conjunction with live human support, to discover career-relevant learning pathways, receive learning assistance, and get real-time support.

Grush: In principle, edX supports lifelong learning. What are some of the ways this support could expand? And similar to what I asked earlier, how can the platform offer learners some context as 2U builds out extensive offerings on edX.org?


Agarwal: Supporting lifelong learning is a core principle at 2U. In addition to expanding the programs available on edX continuously, to include a wider range of subjects and credentials, we're looking at how the concept of lifelong learning is changing, particularly in light of technological advancements.

We're looking at how the concept of lifelong learning is changing, particularly in light of technological advancements.

Our recently released whitepaper, Navigating the Workplace in the Age of AI, shows that, rather than turning to post-secondary institutions to upskill, professionals are expecting their employers to deliver the training they need to meet the future demands of the workplace. With this in mind, we've continued to expand our enterprise business to help equip employers with corporate learning solutions that empower employees and maximize business impact. In 2023 we launched a Career Resource Center, available for free, to equip all registered edX learners with career resources to help navigate the rapidly changing employment landscape and advance in their desired career paths. As the who, what, where, and when of lifelong learning continue to evolve, we'll ensure that the edX platform provides the tools learners and partners need to accomplish their goals.

As the who, what, where, and when of lifelong learning continue to evolve, we'll ensure that the edX platform provides the tools learners and partners need to accomplish their goals.

Grush: Is there an effort to unify your learner experience, from upskilling to lifelong learning — cradle to grave, if you will? Do you foresee the reliance of students on edX growing longitudinally?

Agarwal: Yes, absolutely. A key part of our vision is to offer educational opportunities to learners on edX at every investment level — from free to degree.

A key part of our vision is to offer educational opportunities to learners on edX at every investment level — from free to degree.

As the worlds of work and education continue to change, we aim to make edX a comprehensive learning platform where learners can return at different stages of their lives for upskilling, reskilling, and personal growth. As an example of our longitudinal support for lifelong learning, our edX for Campus offering allows university campuses to embed edX courses into their campus degree programs. Similarly our edX for Business catalog offers employers ways to help their employees upskill continuously for the future of work.


Featured