IIT Kanpur and the Foundation will establish the School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems through our website.
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has taken a significant step forward in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) research and education with the launch of the School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems. The school, which officially opened its doors in June 2025, focuses on advanced AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI policy, signifying a commitment to innovation and development in cutting-edge AI technologies and their applications.
The school's launch marks a strategic institutional effort to advance AI science and its integration into societal and technological domains, positioning IIT Kanpur as a hub for AI excellence in India. The school aims to create world-class education and research centers on campus and empower a network of 50 partner hubs across India, fostering interdisciplinary teams of faculty, researchers, and students in state-of-the-art labs.
The School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems will house a Department of Intelligent Systems and five initial research centers: Advanced AI, Developing Intelligent Systems, Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity of Cyber-physical Systems, Robotics, and AI Policy and Outreach. Admissions for the first batch of Department of Intelligent Systems students will begin in 2026.
In addition to its internal focus, the school will also collaborate with external hubs, including premier institutes and industry partners, for the dissemination of best practices in research translation and commercialization. This collaboration is formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT Kanpur and the Foundation.
The launch event was graced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who emphasized the importance of mentoring young talent and investing in emerging fields such as AI, quantum computing, health tech, and synthetic biology. He also highlighted the government's flagship PM Vidya Lakshmi Yojana, under which over 7,000 internship cells have been set up across institutes.
IIT Kanpur has also signed three MoUs at the event, one with the Foundation for the School, one with IIT Bombay for a Superhub in Biosciences & Health Tech, and one with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for co-funding high-impact translational research across AI, quantum technologies, biosciences, health tech, and smart mobility.
The School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems at IITK aims to serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary projects, bringing together experts in algorithms, hardware, policy, life sciences, and social sciences. Its mission is to enable and support "research capacity building" through research and innovation programs and activities, similar to its counterpart at IITK.
This initiative underscores the significance of AI advancement at the national and global level, as IIT Kanpur seeks to contribute to innovation ecosystems and skill development essential for the AI-driven future. The school will foster interdisciplinary teams, facilitate research and innovation, and empower a network of partner hubs across India, setting the stage for a future where AI plays a pivotal role in shaping our society and technology.
[1] Press Information Bureau, Government of India (2025). Launch of the School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems at IIT Kanpur. Retrieved from https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=228877 [4] Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2025). School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems. Retrieved from https://www.iitk.ac.in/saais/
The School of Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems at IITK aims to foster interdisciplinary teams and research centres for further exploration in science, specifically in advanced AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI policy. This initiative also aims to empower a network of partner hubs for education and self-development, focusing on integrating AI technology into societal and technological domains.
The collaboration between IIT Kanpur and various external hubs, including industry partners, is a significant step towards disseminating best practices in research translation and commercialization, contributing to the development of technology, education, and self-development.
