IIT Bombay signs MoU with Columbia University to launch AI center for manufacturing

IIT Bombay and Columbia University, United States have entered into a memorandum of understanding to set up the Columbia–IIT Bombay Centre of AI for Manufacturing.

The agreement was exchanged at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, according to an official statement.

Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Higher Education Secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, School Education and Literacy Secretary Sanjay Kumar, and MeitY Secretary S Krishnan attended the event.

The Ministry of Education said the proposed center is part of the government’s broader push to strengthen artificial intelligence research. With this addition, four AI-focused centers have been initiated so far.

The Columbia–IIT Bombay Centre of AI for Manufacturing will operate as a joint research and translation hub, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing systems.

The center is expected to design AI-driven solutions for real-world industrial environments and develop interoperable and scalable systems that can be deployed across sectors.

Its work will cover a range of manufacturing segments, including semiconductors, robotics, industrial production, pharmaceuticals, food processing, refining and petrochemicals, construction and infrastructure, and transport and logistics.

According to the official statement, the collaboration will bring together expertise in artificial intelligence, optimization, process engineering, and manufacturing systems from both institutions.

The research agenda will address operational issues such as legacy equipment, inconsistent data quality, real-time decision-making demands, and workforce diversity in industrial operations.

The center will also partner with industry to undertake applied research and create customized solutions for manufacturing enterprises.

Talent development and support for startups in the AI and manufacturing ecosystem will form a key component of its activities.

In addition, foundational datasets, models, and interfaces developed through the center are expected to be released as public goods, according to an official statement.

The initiative aims to expand access to AI-based tools and infrastructure for a wide spectrum of manufacturing units, including micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The Ministry said that the initiative is intended to deepen collaboration between Indian and global institutions in artificial intelligence, with a specific emphasis on manufacturing systems and the translation of research into deployable technologies.