Date: 06-11-2026

A four-year initiative to fund research in AI, Machine Learning and Data Science, student fellowships, faculty development, and teacher training at IIT Delhi

New Delhi: IIT Delhi has announced a four-year initiative at its Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence (ScAI) to advance research, education and talent development in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science. The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with WM Global Technology Services India Private Limited (Walmart Global Tech) through a four-year partnership valued at approximately ₹9 crore, with approximately ₹2.3 crore earmarked for the current financial year, to strengthen AI research, education and talent development in India.

Under the initiative, the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence will:

The initiative will also offer learning opportunities to industry professionals and learners from underrepresented communities.

Speaking about the partnership, Prof. Jayant Jain, Dean, Corporate Relations, IIT Delhi, said, "Artificial Intelligence is transforming research, industry and society at an unprecedented pace. Partnerships with industry provide an important avenue to strengthen the ecosystem for advanced research, innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship. We are pleased to partner with Walmart Global Tech and look forward to creating meaningful and lasting impact through this collaboration."

Mr Balu Chaturvedula, SVP and Country Head, Walmart Global Tech, said, "India has the talent and ambition to be a defining force in the AI era. The opportunity now is to build the depth of research, engineering and education that allows that talent to shape technology with lasting relevance. Our partnership with IIT Delhi’s Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence is rooted in that belief. By supporting researchers, expanding pathways for students and strengthening the educators who multiply this capability over time, we hope to help build an AI ecosystem that is rigorous in its foundations, broad in its reach and meaningful in the problems it can solve.”

Over the next four years, IIT Delhi will lead the initiative's implementation with regular reviews of progress and outcomes. Through its fellowships, faculty development and teacher training, the initiative is expected to build a lasting pipeline of AI researchers and educators who carry the school's work into classrooms, labs and industry.

Established in 2020, the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence brings together faculty from across disciplines to advance research and education in AI and its applications in healthcare, robotics, materials science, Industry 4.0, climate and transportation. With a growing base of industry partnerships, the school is a platform for research, innovation and the development of AI capability in India. Drawing on IIT Delhi's multidisciplinary research environment and its wide network across academia, industry and the technology ecosystem, the school works to turn research into solutions with wider social and economic impact. Prof. Chetan Arora heads the school.

Prof. Chetan Arora, Head, Yardi School of AI, IIT Delhi, said, “The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nurturing world-class AI research and talent, and to harnessing technology for societal impact. We are grateful to Walmart Global for this generous support. It will help us build the research infrastructure and nurture the talent needed to push the frontiers of AI, from foundational research to applications that solve real problems in society. This partnership will strengthen the school’s ability to train the next generation of AI researchers and innovators for India and the world. We look forward to a long and productive partnership.”