News in short
- IIT Delhi and Walmart Global Tech have announced a four-year AI research partnership worth around Rs 9 crore.
- The initiative will support research in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.
- It will fund student fellowships, faculty development, teacher training and research infrastructure.
- The programme will also create learning opportunities for industry professionals and underrepresented communities.
IIT Delhi has partnered with Walmart Global Tech to strengthen artificial intelligence research and education in India. The four-year initiative at the institute’s Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence carries an estimated value of Rs 9 crore.
The partnership will focus on research, student support and the development of AI talent. Around Rs 2.3 crore has been earmarked for the current financial year. The initiative will bring together academic research and industry expertise across artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.
IIT Delhi and Walmart Global Tech to fund AI research
Under the collaboration, IIT Delhi’s Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence will advance research with applications across industry and society. The programme will support student researchers through dedicated fellowships. It will also strengthen the school’s research infrastructure and help build a pipeline of skilled AI professionals.
The partnership also places emphasis on education beyond the IIT Delhi campus. It will support faculty development and teacher training initiatives. These programmes aim to help educators build the skills needed to teach artificial intelligence and related disciplines.
In addition, the initiative will offer learning opportunities to industry professionals and learners from underrepresented communities. This wider approach could help expand access to AI education and research opportunities.
What IIT Delhi and Walmart Global Tech said
Prof. Jayant Jain, Dean of Corporate Relations at IIT Delhi, said industry partnerships can strengthen advanced research, innovation and technology-led entrepreneurship. He welcomed the collaboration and said the institute expects it to create a meaningful, lasting impact.
Balu Chaturvedula, SVP and Country Head of Walmart Global Tech, said India has the talent and ambition to shape the AI era. He highlighted the need to build research, engineering and education capabilities. The company expects its support for researchers, students and educators to contribute to a stronger AI ecosystem.
Prof. Chetan Arora, Head of the Yardi School of AI at IIT Delhi, said the funding would help strengthen research infrastructure and nurture future researchers. He added that the collaboration would support work ranging from foundational AI research to applications that address real-world problems.
A wider push to build India’s AI talent pipeline
Established in 2020, the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence brings together faculty from multiple disciplines. Its research spans healthcare, robotics, materials science, Industry 4.0, climate and transportation. Prof. Chetan Arora heads the school.
The four-year programme will undergo regular reviews to assess progress and outcomes. Its fellowships, faculty development and teacher training efforts aim to create a long-term pipeline of AI researchers and educators. These professionals could carry new skills and research into classrooms, laboratories and industry.
For the institute’s announcement and programme details, visit IIT Delhi’s official announcement. The partnership adds to IIT Delhi’s growing industry engagement in AI. The institute has also worked with Cisco on an AI and cybersecurity research hub. Read our report on the IIT Delhi-Cisco AI and cybersecurity hub.
As AI adoption accelerates, collaborations between universities and technology companies can help connect research with practical needs. The impact of this initiative will depend on the research it enables, the educators it trains and the talent it helps develop over the next four years.
