Autodesk recently announced that it has provided its software and technology free of charge to more than 150 million students and educators worldwide, helping to prepare the next generation of designers, builders and makers for the future of work.
Autodesk recently announced that it has provided its software and technology free of charge to more than 150 million students and educators worldwide, helping to prepare the next generation of designers, builders and makers for the future of work.
For more than a decade, Autodesk has made its professional-grade tools available at no cost to accredited institutions and verified students and educators, giving learners access to the same technology used by architects, engineers, manufacturers and creators around the world to design and make almost anything.
Bridging the skills gap in an AI-powered future
As the global workforce evolves faster than education systems can adapt, access to the latest technology is becoming increasingly critical for students. Autodesk’s State of Design and Make report found that 58% of professionals cite a lack of skilled talent as a barrier to growth, while 61% say it is becoming harder to find new hires with the right technical skills. At the same time, AI is playing a growing role in today’s jobs, with demand for AI skills in job listings increasing by more than 640% since 2022, according to Autodesk’s recent AI Jobs Report.
Students are feeling the urgency as well. Nearly half of university students believe they are not learning the AI skills they will need to succeed after graduation.
Autodesk connects students across secondary schools, trade schools, community colleges and universities to technology, real-world projects and career opportunities that help them develop the skills required to succeed across Design and Make industries.
“With technology advancing faster than education can keep pace, it is crucial that industry leaders like Autodesk help equip STEM students and educators with the right tools at every stage of learning,” said Mary Hope McQuiston, Vice President of Education at Autodesk. “It often starts with Tinkercad, where students first learn to imagine and create and continues with professional-grade tools that prepare them for real careers. Reaching 150 million students and educators and now expanding access to Flow Studio, shows what’s possible when learners can design, make and tell their story using the same technology professionals rely on.”
Where Design and Make begins: Tinkercad’s lasting impact
This milestone includes 100 million users of Tinkercad, Autodesk’s free, browser-based 3D design tool that introduces millions of young learners to creative problem-solving and STEM concepts. For many, it represents the first step towards mastering professional tools such as Fusion and Forma, connecting classroom creativity with real-world innovation.
Expanding access to professional VFX and animation with Autodesk Flow Studio
As part of its ongoing commitment to providing free professional-grade software to students and educators, Autodesk is expanding access to Autodesk Flow Studio (formerly Wonder Studio). All verified students aged 18 and over, as well as educators, can now use Flow Studio at no cost. The aim is to make AI-powered 3D tools for visual effects (VFX) and animation accessible to those studying film, digital content creation, marketing, advertising or game design.
Flow Studio enhances creativity by automating complex VFX tasks such as motion capture, camera tracking and character animation, allowing students to focus on storytelling and performance. With a single video clip and a few clicks, learners can insert CG characters into live-action or animated scenes and render them seamlessly.
Empowering the next generation of Design and Make leaders
Naji Atallah, Head of Construction and Manufacturing, EMEA Emerging at Autodesk, said: “Across the Middle East, there is remarkable enthusiasm among young people not only to use technology, but to design and make with it. In countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, significant government investment in STEM, AI and innovation is clearly visible. At Autodesk, we play a pivotal role in ensuring students and educators have world-class tools from day one. By providing free access to platforms ranging from Tinkercad to Fusion, Forma and now Flow Studio, we enable educational institutions to bridge the skills gap and empower the next generation of architects, engineers and creatives to lead AI-powered economies.”
From classrooms and makerspaces to studios and stages, Autodesk’s education ecosystem supports learners at every level, combining access to technology with certifications and career pathways. Through partnerships with schools, non-profits and industry leaders, Autodesk continues to help students develop the skills that will define the future of Design and Make.
As industries evolve and technologies such as AI transform how we work and create, Autodesk’s commitment remains unchanged: to equip every student—whether architect, engineer or artist—with the tools to design and make anything.
