New Delhi, February 19 – In a landmark move to empower India’s youth, Adobe Chairman and CEO Shantanu Narayan announced on Thursday that the company is providing free access to its cutting-edge AI tools for millions of students across the country. Speaking at the ‘India AI Impact Summit 2026′ held at Bharat Mandapam, Narayan emphasized how this initiative aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India.
Adobe is making its flagship products – Firefly, Photoshop, and Acrobat – available at no cost to students in recognized higher education institutions. This strategic investment aims to equip the next generation with AI-first skills, fostering creativity and productivity in ways never seen before.
Beyond mere access, students will receive comprehensive curricula, hands-on training, and certifications integrated with Adobe’s creative and productivity software. This toolkit ensures graduates stand out in a competitive job market, ready to innovate and lead.
At the heart of this offering is Adobe Firefly, an all-in-one creative AI studio incorporating models from partners like Google, OpenAI, and Runway. Students can experiment freely, choosing tools that match their needs, while Acrobat Pro enables seamless editing of text and images, enhancing collaboration.
Narayan expressed excitement about witnessing Indian students’ creations, predicting they will accelerate the ‘Viksit Bharat’ goal. This announcement bolsters the government’s ‘Create in India’ vision and supports the 2026 Union Budget target of creating 2 million jobs in animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) by 2030.
In partnership with the government, Adobe will roll out its AI-first offerings and industry-backed courses to 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, establishing content creator labs nationwide. This free access to safe, commercially viable generative AI content promises to revolutionize education and career prospects for India’s students.