IIT Madras Pravartak launches ‘Centre for Human-Centric AI’

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Madras’s technology innovation hub on sensors, networking, actuators and control systems, Pravartak Technologies Foundation has launched a ‘Centre for Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence’ (CHAI) to harness AI to amplify human potential.

AI safety is a key and growing concern. There is a need to strike a balance between regulations and innovation. The newly-launched centre will help identify risks to inform future regulations, ensuring that India’s AI development is safe and responsible, while maximising innovation.

This new centre will collaborate with Central and State Government agencies, industry, start-ups and academic researchers. Its scope would centre around three dimensions: enhancing human potential, protecting citizens and amplifying societal values which are embodied through culture and heritage. The Centre’s activities will include technology development, aiding entrepreneurship development, and promoting human resource development and international collaborations.

The centre was launched at IIT Madras Research Park in the presence of Lt.Gen. KS Brar, AVSM, GoC Dakshin Bharat, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, Dr. M.J. Shankar Raman, CEO, IIT-M Pravartak Technologies Foundation, Prof. Gaurav Raina, Chief Scientist, CHAI.

Prof. Gaurav Raina, the Chief Scientist at the Centre, who is also Faculty, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “The focus of the Centre aligned with the broad principles of Industry 5.0, which emphasises human-centricity and sustainability. The stress will be on translational research that leads to impactful solutions in the form of data sets, AI models, tools and AI applications.

The Centre, among other things, will provide an opportunity for internships for students across the country to develop their skills on cutting edge AI projects and solutions. Students within IIT Madras will be able to pursue their undergraduate, masters and Phd research projects and thesis with co-guidance from the Centre.

Sunderarajan Padmanabhan

Sunderarajan Padmanabhan is a senior science journalist, formerly associated with The Hindu newspaper and news and feature syndicate India Science Wire of Vigyan Prasar

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