The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay & Columbia University have signed an agreement to work on a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre for Manufacturing.

The strategic partnership plans to develop advanced AI solutions for industrial use and strengthen India’s position in global manufacturing innovation.

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New Centre to Address Modern Industrial Challenges

Under the pact, the Columbia–IIT Bombay Centre of AI for Manufacturing will operate as a joint research and translation hub focusing on practical applications of AI in manufacturing. The initiative will explore ways to build robust, scalable and human-centric AI systems that can be adopted across sectors.

Officials said the centre will target a broad range of manufacturing domains, including semiconductors, robotics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, petrochemicals, infrastructure and logistics. It will work to create an open, interoperable industrial AI infrastructure that addresses real-world factory challenges, such as legacy equipment, noisy data and diverse workforces.

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Industry Support, Talent Development and Public Goods

The collaboration aims to support industry modernisation, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), while nurturing startups and developing future-ready talent.

The centre plans to partner with industry players to conduct applied research and develop customised solutions. It will also release foundational datasets, models and interfaces as public goods to expand access to AI tools. Leaders from both institutions say the initiative will help position India as a global centre for AI-driven manufacturing research and innovation.