Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Columbia University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Columbia–IIT Bombay Center of AI for Manufacturing. The agreement was exchanged in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during an event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The new center will act as a joint research and translation hub focused on developing robust, scalable, and human-centric AI systems tailored for real-world manufacturing applications. It aims to address key challenges in sectors such as semiconductors, robotics, industrial production, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and other advanced manufacturing domains.
The collaboration seeks to create interoperable AI solutions that can be deployed effectively in factories and production lines. By combining IIT Bombay’s strengths in engineering and applied research with Columbia University’s expertise in AI and systems innovation, the center will promote knowledge exchange, joint projects, and training programs.
Leading the delegations were IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare and Columbia University’s Senior Vice Provost. The MoU forms part of India’s broader push to build advanced AI capabilities through international partnerships. The Ministry of Education has now initiated four such AI centers to strengthen research in critical areas.
This initiative is expected to drive innovation in India’s manufacturing sector, which is vital for economic growth and global competitiveness. It will also help prepare the next generation of engineers and researchers for an AI-driven industrial future by fostering interdisciplinary work and real-world problem-solving.
Industry partners are being invited to join the center, with plans for collaborative projects that translate academic research into practical tools and systems. The partnership highlights growing ties between Indian and US institutions in emerging technologies.
