IIT-M, Robert Bosche Engg sign MOU on AI, Data science

Like it or not, technology giants are investing in the possibility of AI and Indian institutions are providing opportunities to students to understand the technology. 

For instance, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions (RBEI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), to set up the Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBC-DSAI). According to a press release, the mission of RBC-DSAI is to create societal impact, through multidisciplinary interactions with government, academic, research and industrial collaborators, on core challenges in Data Science (DS) and AI. The Centre will receive funding up to the tune of Rs three to four crore per year, for five years. 

Vijay Ratnaparkhe, Managing Director of Robert Bosch said, “This partnership is to accelerate research for societal impact, taking a long-term view. It will set a precedent in the way Big Data is used to improve our problem-solving capability in industry. At the same time, the collaboration will result in shared outcomes for the benefit of society.” 

Speaking about the upcoming Centre, Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi said, “IIT Madras has been nurturing its interdisciplinary Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence research group for more than three years now. The launch of this Centre in partnership with, and generous support from, RBEI is an affirmation of the rapid growth and impact of the group’s research and teaching activities. I am confident that RBC-DSAI will become a globally acknowledged Centre, working on the cutting edge of various aspects of machine learning, Data Science and AI, leading to work with high social impact.”

The Robert Bosch Centre will undertake foundational research in many areas of AI and Data Science, namely, deep learning, reinforcement learning, network analytics, interpretable machine learning, and domain- aware AI. The fields of activities include research projects, knowledge management and dissemination, developing prototypes, outreach projects, and setting up collaborative facilities and laboratories, among others. The Centre’s mandate requires interaction with industry and other universities, including international student and faculty exchanges. The objective is to advance scientific innovation for societal benefit, said the press release.