Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the expansion of its free Kiro program, giving students at 132 universities across 18 countries access to the AI-powered software engineering agent for one year.
The initiative aims to help students develop practical artificial intelligence (AI) and software-development skills before entering the workforce.
Key Features
Under the program, eligible students receive 1,000 Kiro credits every month without requiring a credit card. They also gain access to the latest AI models and Kiro Web, a zero-install version of the tool.
This expanded access is intended to overcome the limitations of conventional free AI tools, which often impose usage restrictions that can interrupt student projects.
Kiro uses a “spec-driven development” approach. Instead of simply generating code from prompts, students first define requirements, design decisions, and implementation steps. Kiro then helps generate code while students review the results and ensure they meet the original specifications. This encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible use of AI alongside technical skills.
Results and Global Expansion
The program began as a pilot in March 2026 involving 11 universities in two countries. Thousands of students subsequently used Kiro to develop projects, including an accessibility application for visually impaired users and a voice-enabled wellness platform connecting patients with medical professionals.
The latest expansion increases university participation twelvefold and extends the initiative across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America. Participating institutions include universities such as the National University of Singapore, Imperial College London, the University of Toronto, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Image credit: AWS