Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026: Dharmendra Pradhan marks expansion of India’s AI push with Columbia–IIT Bombay Manufacturing Centre

New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Columbia University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up the ‘Columbia–IIT Bombay Centre of AI for Manufacturing’. The agreement was made at the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The event was also attended by Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar; Secretary, Higher Education Vineet Joshi; Secretary, School Education and Literacy Sanjay Kumar; and Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology S Krishnan.

Leading the delegations were IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare and Columbia University Senior Vice Provost Soulaymane Kachani.

IIT Bombay and Columbia University, USA signed and exchanged an MoU in the presence of Hon. Minister of Education Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan to establish a Center of AI for Manufacturing. The function held at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi was also graced by Hon. Minister of State for… pic.twitter.com/75qSTaDG5p

— IIT Bombay (@iitbombay) February 12, 2026

New AI Centre for manufacturing innovation

The centre will act as a joint research and translation hub focused on developing robust, scalable and human-centric AI systems for real-world manufacturing. The aim is to combine academic research with practical industry applications and strengthen collaboration between industry and educational institutions.

The Ministry of Education said the initiative reflects its continued push to promote advanced AI research in the country. With this addition, the ministry has now initiated four AI centres to drive cutting-edge research and ensure real-world impact.

The establishment of the centre was facilitated with support from the Embassy of India in Washington DC and the Consulate General of India in New York. Several industry partners are also expected to join the initiative.

Today, at the inaugural function of the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, organised by the Ministry of Education at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, @iitbombay and @Columbia University signed and exchanged an MoU in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Education Shri @dpradhanbjp to… pic.twitter.com/Oos7nGeIZX

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) February 12, 2026

Academic leaders to guide the initiative

The centre will be guided by key academic leaders from both institutions. Among those present were Vishal Misra, Vice Dean for Computing and AI at Columbia Engineering, and Mani Bhushan from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Bombay. The Columbia–IIT Bombay Centre of AI for Manufacturing is expected to promote innovation in smart manufacturing, create new research opportunities and support India’s growing focus on advanced technologies.