The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has announced the launch of its first Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Centre in Dubai under the IIT Madras Global banner. The announcement was shared through the institute’s official social media handle, highlighting a major step in its international expansion strategy. The new centre has been established at Dubai CommerCity, a key business and technology hub in the United Arab Emirates. The initiative aims to foster AI-driven innovation, research partnerships, and startup development on a global scale.
IIT Madras: Purpose of the Applied AI Innovation Centre
The centre will focus on:
- Promoting industry-oriented AI research
- Supporting AI startups and entrepreneurs
- Facilitating technology transfer and commercialisation
- Strengthening global academic-industry partnerships
The initiative is expected to serve as a bridge between cutting-edge research at IIT Madras and real-world applications across sectors such as logistics, smart cities, energy, healthcare and digital infrastructure.
IIT Madras’ Global Expansion Vision
Through IIT Madras Global, the institute aims to:
- Expand its international academic footprint
- Collaborate with global universities and technology firms
- Create innovation ecosystems outside India
- Attract global talent and investment
The Dubai centre marks an important milestone in IIT Madras’ vision of positioning itself as a global leader in applied research and emerging technologies.
Why Dubai?
Dubai has emerged as a major global hub for:
- Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation
- Startup incubation and venture capital activity
- Smart city innovation initiatives
By setting up operations in Dubai CommerCity, IIT Madras gains strategic access to Middle East markets and global technology networks.
What This Means for Students and Startups
The centre is expected to create:
- Research collaboration opportunities
- Internship and innovation programmes
- Startup incubation support
- Cross-border technology development projects
This move reinforces IIT Madras’ growing reputation as a leader in AI, deep tech and global research partnerships.