HCLTech and Pearson Partner to Accelerate Skills Development, Advance Careers and Bridge the Global Skills Gap in the AI Era
Rhea-AI Summary
Pearson (NYSE:PSO) and HCLTech have announced a multi-year strategic partnership focused on developing AI-powered learning solutions. The collaboration combines Pearson's expertise in learning and assessment with HCLTech's capabilities in digital transformation and AI.
The partnership will operate across three key pillars: go-to-market acceleration for developing learning products, an AI innovation lab for co-developing next-generation learning solutions, and strategic talent design for delivering workforce insights. Pearson will integrate HCLTech's GenAI platform and Career Shaper™ platform, while HCLTech will implement Pearson's AI-powered learning tools and Faethm AI platform across its HR ecosystem.
Positive
- Strategic partnership combines Pearson's learning expertise with HCLTech's AI capabilities
- Development of AI-powered products to address workforce skills gaps
- Access to HCLTech's GenAI platform and Career Shaper™ technology
- Expansion of Pearson's AI integration and enterprise skilling strategy
Negative
- None.
Insights
Pearson's strategic partnership with HCLTech positions it well in the AI-powered education market, strengthening its enterprise learning solutions.
This strategic partnership between Pearson and HCLTech represents a significant advancement in Pearson's AI transformation strategy. The collaboration leverages complementary strengths—Pearson's learning content and assessment expertise paired with HCLTech's technical capabilities in GenAI and digital engineering—creating a potentially powerful combination in the education technology market.
The partnership's three-pillar approach is particularly noteworthy. The go-to-market acceleration focuses on high-demand sectors, suggesting targeted revenue opportunities in growing markets. The AI innovation lab indicates a serious commitment to product development, with HCLTech's Career Shaper™ platform serving as the foundation. The strategic talent design component offers potential for recurring revenue through workforce analytics services.
For Pearson, this partnership accelerates its enterprise skilling strategy execution, which has been a key focus area as the company transitions from traditional publishing to digital learning solutions. By embedding AI across its products and focusing on workforce readiness, Pearson is positioning itself at the intersection of education and employment—a valuable space as skills gaps widen in the AI era.
While financial terms weren't disclosed, this type of strategic partnership typically leads to new revenue streams through co-developed products and services. The emphasis on enterprise clients suggests Pearson is strengthening its B2B offerings, which often carry higher margins than consumer-facing education products. The agreement also gives Pearson access to HCLTech's internal ecosystem as a proving ground for its AI-powered learning tools, providing valuable implementation data.
The partnership combines Pearson's global expertise and scale in learning and assessment with HCLTech's strengths in digital transformation, product engineering, and AI. Together, the companies will co-develop AI-powered products and services designed to close skills gaps, empower individuals to advance their careers, and help organizations adapt and succeed amid rapid technological change.
Pearson will leverage HCLTech's engineering and professional services capabilities — including its GenAI platform, AI Force, and its EdTech platform, Career Shaper™— to expand and enhance AI-powered learning programs, assessments, and workforce analytics. These capabilities will help prepare people for the future of work across enterprises, higher education, and government.
In addition, Pearson's AI-powered learning and assessment tools will be embedded across HCLTech's internal HR ecosystem. This includes structured learning pathways, verified credentials through Credly, along with Pearson's Faethm AI platform for talent design, development, and career progression.
Pearson and HCLTech will collaborate across three strategic pillars:
Go-to-market acceleration: The companies will collaborate on developing learning and assessment products while co-innovating and scaling delivery through digital engineering. Together, they will deliver AI-powered learning and workforce solutions for enterprise clients, with a focus on high-demand sectors across key global markets.
AI innovation lab: A dedicated AI Tech Lab will serve as the engine room for joint innovation, where Pearson and HCLTech will co-develop next-generation learning products powered by GenAI and built on HCLTech's Career Shaper™ platform.
Strategic talent design: Pearson and HCLTech will leverage their combined talent design and assessment capabilities to deliver actionable workforce insights. These will help organizations align learning investments with business strategy, reduce skill gaps, and future-proof their talent pipelines.
Pearson CEO Omar Abbosh said: "Workers and employers around the world continue to be challenged by the rise of AI in the workplace. This is causing a growing skills gap that needs our attention quickly. Together with HCLTech, we will equip people with the AI-driven learning tools and the skills that help them navigate continuous change and build successful, resilient careers."
"This partnership marks an exciting new chapter in our relationship with Pearson," said C Vijayakumar, CEO & Managing Director of HCLTech. "As GenAI and digital engineering redefine what's possible in education and workforce development, we are thrilled to expand this collaboration globally. Together, we have a unique opportunity to create transformative learning experiences and unlock competitive advantages for learners and institutions around the world."
This partnership represents a step forward in advancing Pearson's commitment to integrating AI across its products and accelerating the execution of its enterprise skilling strategy. It also underscores Pearson's focus on working with strategic partners that share a vision to drive joint innovation, value, and growth.
About Pearson
At Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), our purpose is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our 18,000 employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. Visit us at https://www.pearsonplc.com.
About HCLTech
HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 223,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, cloud and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. We work with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, High Tech, Semiconductor, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of 12 months ending June 2025 totaled
Pearson Media Relations
Dan.Nelson@Pearson.com – US
Laura.Ewart@Pearson.com – UK
HCLTech
meredith-bucaro@hcltech.com
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SOURCE Pearson
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