The Coursera Podcast

Building AI Capability at Scale with Fractal Analytics

Artificial intelligence is moving quickly. Inside most organizations, the conversation has already moved beyond access. The challenge now is how to use these tools well—consistently, thoughtfully, and at scale. In this episode of The Coursera Podcast, Arunav Sinha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arunav-sinha-3b17833/] and Marni Baker Stein [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marni-baker-stein-3177426/] sit down with Rasesh Shah [https://www.linkedin.com/in/raseshs/], Chief Practice Officer at Fractal Analytics [https://fractal.ai/], to talk about what it actually takes to build that kind of capability. Rasesh shares how Fractal approaches learning through real business problems, why multidisciplinary teams often struggle to connect the dots, and how their 3C framework (Context, Connections, and Creativity) helps teams move from analysis to action. The conversation also gets into what leaders are wrestling with right now: how to move beyond pilots, how to measure impact, and how to turn AI momentum into something that actually improves performance. We also cover: 🧠 Where teams tend to get stuck when working with AI 🔗 Why connecting business, engineering, and data is harder than it looks 📊 The questions leaders keep coming back to on GenAI 🚀 What separates experimentation from real progress 🌍 How AI is changing the way learning is delivered and supported +++ If you’d like to explore AI and data science programs from Fractal, including Generative AI for Business – A Leaders’ Handbook [https://www.coursera.org/learn/generative-ai-for-business-a-leaders-handbook], you can find them on Coursera.org [http://coursera.org/].

Supporting Military Transitions with the USO

One of the biggest life transitions that service members face is moving on to their next career. In this episode of The Coursera Podcast, Arunav Sinha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arunav-sinha-3b17833/] and Anthony Salcito [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysalcito/] speak with Danielle Haro [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-haro/], Director of Transition Programs at the USO [https://www.uso.org/programs/uso-transition-program], about how personalized support, community, and skills-based learning help service members and military spouses navigate what comes next. Danielle shares how the USO creates individualized action plans, helps learners overcome impostor syndrome, and leverages online learning to expand access to in-demand skills, from cybersecurity to AI literacy. Drawing on her experience as a military spouse, she reframes “readiness” as continuous growth rather than a one-time milestone. We also cover: 🎖️ The biggest challenges of military-to-civilian transitions 🧭 How personalized action plans cut through overwhelm 🧠 Why adaptability and AI literacy matter for every role 📈 How online learning builds confidence and momentum 🤝 The role of community and mentorship in career change +++ If you’d like to explore new skills, discover a career pathway, or just take the next step in your own learning journey, you can find thousands of courses and professional certificates on Coursera.org [https://www.coursera.org/].

Redefining Career Readiness with Texas A&M

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shonda Gibson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shondagibson/] and Dr. Mary Liz Brooks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-liz-brooks-b2870a20/] to explore how the Texas A&M University System [https://www.tamus.edu/] is preparing students for a rapidly changing job market. Across its 11 campuses, Texas A&M is embedding industry-aligned credentials into degree programs [https://www.tamus.edu/academic/initiatives/coursera-pilot/] to bridge academic learning and workforce needs—at scale. Shonda, who leads academic transformation for the entire system, shares how a community-of-practice model has driven adoption from the ground up, allowing each campus to tailor implementation while staying aligned to a shared vision. Mary Liz brings the classroom perspective, highlighting how students are engaging with Coursera’s Career Academy [https://www.coursera.org/campus/career-academy] to build confidence, gain real-world skills, and shape their professional identities—before graduation. This conversation offers a powerful look at what’s possible when system-level innovation meets faculty-led experimentation, and how higher education can support student success far beyond the classroom. We also cover: 🎓 What “career readiness” means in the age of automation and AI 🔧 How Texas A&M embedded Career Academy directly into curriculum 📊 The impact of over 20,000 learning hours and 4,700+ course completions 🌍 Strategies for equity and access across rural and urban campuses 🧩 What public universities can do to rethink ROI and lifelong learning +++ Explore Coursera Career Academy and learn how institutions are embedding real-world learning into their degree programs: coursera.org/campus [http://coursera.org/campus]

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow with AWS

We sat down with Valerie Singer, General Manager of AWS Global Education [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovaleriesinger/], to talk about how organizations are preparing their workforces for the AI era. Drawing on insights from From Cloud to AI: How Tech Leaders Are Investing in Skills Development to Drive Transformation [https://blog.coursera.org/coursera-aws-research-reveals-tech-leaders-prioritizing-cloud-ai-skills-to-drive-transformation/], a new global survey from Coursera and AWS, Valerie shares why cloud and cybersecurity remain foundational to AI transformation, how hands-on learning is shaping the next generation of tech talent, and why AI literacy matters for everyone—not just technical roles. She also highlights how AWS is partnering globally to close skills gaps and expand opportunity, from professional certificates with Coursera to programs serving underserved communities. Whether you’re a business leader, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode offers practical lessons on how to build resilient teams and unlock opportunity through skills. We also cover: * ⚡ Why cloud infrastructure is the bedrock for AI at scale * 🔧 How hands-on learning and customization are reshaping training * 🌱 AWS initiatives to bridge skills gaps in underserved communities * 🧩 Why AI literacy matters across both technical and non-technical roles * ✨ Lessons from global workforce development models driving equity and access +++ Explore AWS Professional Certificates and Specializations on Coursera [https://www.coursera.org/partners/aws], from Generative AI Applications to Cloud Solutions Architecture, and start building the skills to power the future of work.

Embracing Creativity in the Age of AI with Jerry Wind

We sat down with Dr. Jerry Wind [http://linkedin.com/in/jerrywind], Lauder Professor Emeritus and Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School, to explore what creativity means in an era where AI can generate art, ideas, and strategies in seconds. A pioneer in marketing science and strategic innovation, Jerry shares how human imagination, intuition, and courage remain at the heart of innovation—even as generative AI reshapes the way we create and learn. He introduces lessons from his new Coursera course, Creativity in Business and Other Disciplines [https://www.coursera.org/learn/creativity-in-business], and companion book, Creativity in the Age of AI [https://a.co/d/btWbm6n], offering a bold framework for rethinking how we approach creativity across industries and education. Whether you’re a business leader, educator, or lifelong learner, this episode highlights practical ways to unlock new ideas, embrace experimentation, and challenge the status quo. We also cover: * 🎨 The role of AI in amplifying (not replacing) human creativity * 🔬 Why adaptive experimentation is essential for leaders * 💡 Lessons on courage, persistence, and unlearning from innovators across fields * 📚 How education must evolve to foster imagination alongside skills +++ Explore courses on creativity, innovation, and leadership at Coursera.org [http://coursera.org] to build the skills you need to spark new ideas and thrive in a rapidly changing world.