IIT Kanpur Launches New AI School in Partnership with Wadhwani Foundation

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has launched a new school dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and intelligent systems in a collaboration with the Wadhwani Foundation. Named the Wadhwani School of Advanced AI and Intelligent Systems (WSAAI), this initiative aims to position India as a global leader in AI research and innovation.

The formal announcement was made at a special event in New Delhi, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The school will be part of the broader Wadhwani Innovation Network, a global ecosystem focusing on research and education in technology and policy.

The WSAAI will include a newly formed Department of Intelligent Systems and five major research centers. These centers will focus on:

• Advanced AI research
• Intelligent systems development
• Cybersecurity and cyber-physical systems
• Robotics and automation
• AI policy, ethics, and outreach

The goal is to bring together experts, researchers, and students from different fields to work on real-world problems using artificial intelligence.

During the introduction of the programme Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said, this new initiative is a step forward in building practical and impactful technologies. He stated that the school would play a key role in creating an ecosystem that promotes innovation, research, and collaboration between academia and industry.

The new AI school will start its academic programs from 2026. And this will include undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. programme in AI and related areas. Students will benefit from high tech laboratories, research tools, and collaborative projects, giving them the opportunity to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge.

The course will be designed to meet global standards and will prepare students for careers in AI, machine learning, robotics, cybersecurity, and more.