IIT-Madras announces research projects on AI, seeks to study feasibility of small data centres

Published - October 23, 2026 12:41 am IST - Chennai

IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti launching a series of working papers on frugal AI framework, on Thursday. | Photo Credit: S.R. RAGHUNATHAN

The IIT-Madras on Thursday announced that it would take up a feasibility study for small data centres to be used for inference across a wide spectrum of subjects, including agriculture, space, manufacturing, health or law.

While large data centres were necessary for large-scale training of Large language models (LLMs), a federated, distributed, and workable model of “pico centres”, developed using frugal engineering methods and aimed at various groups of end-users, could be studied.

Announcing this on the sidelines of an industry conclave titled AI Measurement and Governance at IIT-Madras on Thursday, IIT-M Director V. Kamakoti said Bodhan AI, a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, funded by the Union Ministry of Education and incubated as a Section 8 Company in IIT-M, was studying the feasibility of setting up frugal AI data centres that would consume lesser electricity and resources, and provide, for example, personalised AI tutors to the 25 crore students studying in India’s schools.

“We should not be using a pistol to kill a mosquito,” Dr. Kamakoti said. He also announced that the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI), in partnership with The Better India, would produce 500 videos portraying case studies across the country on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.

He said IIT-M would start work on trusted AI Commons to enhance the accountability and responsibility of AI.

Dr. Kamakoti also launched a software platform for the evaluation of AI tools using over 50 metrics and 100 sub-metrics in multiple languages, and released a white paper on the job scenario projection with the advent of AI.

B. Ravindran, Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI and CeRAI, IIT-M, said the series of working papers released at the event portrayed CeRAI’s commitment to work on what would be an appropriate, right-sized AI approach for India, and the use of frugal engineering in the development of AI.

Gokul S. Krishnan, Research Director, CeRAI, also spoke.

Published - October 23, 2026 12:41 am IST

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