- New AI centre to boost manufacturing innovation and industry-ready talent.
- Focus on semiconductors, robotics, process industries, and MSME support.
- Joint effort to provide research, solutions, and public AI resources.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has partnered with Columbia University to set up a joint AI centre aimed at transforming manufacturing in India. Initiated by the Union Education Ministry, the centre will develop human-centric, scalable AI systems for industries ranging from semiconductors and robotics to pharmaceuticals, food processing, and infrastructure.
IIT Bombay Director Prof Shireesh Kedare said the centre reflects India’s drive to become a global leader in AI-driven manufacturing. “It will modernize industries, empower MSMEs, support start-ups, and train future-ready professionals”, he added.
The centre will leverage the strengths of both IIT Bombay and Columbia University in AI, optimization, and process engineering to build interoperable industrial AI infrastructure. It aims to address real-world shop-floor challenges such as legacy equipment, noisy data, real-time constraints, and multilingual workforces.
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Through active collaboration with industry partners, the hub will provide applied research, customized solutions, and skill-building programs for students and professionals. Foundational datasets, AI models, and interfaces will also be released as public resources to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
This initiative marks the fifth AI centre launched by the ministry, following earlier projects in healthcare, education, sustainable cities, and agriculture, further emphasizing India’s focus on skill development and AI-driven education for emerging industries.
