- IIT Madras sets up its first applied AI center overseas, marking a major step in taking Indian research and education innovation to global markets.
- The initiative focuses on building industry-ready skills, creating high-value jobs, and supporting AI startups in scaling their solutions.
- The project strengthens the India-UAE technology corridor by linking academic research, startups, and industry collaboration across both countries.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras Global Research Foundation will establish its first Applied AI Innovation Centre in Dubai, marking a major step in expanding India’s education and research footprint globally. The center will be located at Dubai CommerCity and aims to drive skill development, job creation, and industry-ready innovation.
In its initial phase, the center will support six applied AI startups with a combined valuation of about USD 118 million. These startups are expected to generate nearly USD 281 million in revenue over the next five years, helping create high-value jobs and real-world AI solutions. The initiative is supported by MCA Gulf, a strategic partner facilitating IIT Madras’s global expansion in the UAE.
The center is designed to bridge academic research with industry needs by converting classroom knowledge into scalable AI products. Officials said it will help students, researchers, and startups gain faster access to global markets while building expertise in human-centric and responsible AI.
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Professor Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean of Global Engagement at IIT Madras, said the project reflects the institute’s goal of globalizing research and translating innovation into workforce-ready solutions. Leaders in Dubai noted that the partnership aligns with long-term economic and digital trade goals under the India-UAE cooperation framework.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed during WORLDEF Dubai 2026, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a regional hub for education-led AI innovation.
