IIT-Madras announces research projects on AI, seeks to study feasibility of small data centers
IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti is launching a series of working papers on a lean AI framework on Thursday. | Photo credit: SR RAGHUNATHAN
IIT-Madras announced on Thursday that it will launch a feasibility study for small data centers to be used for inference in a wide range of subjects, including agriculture, space, manufacturing, healthcare or law.
While large data centers were necessary for large-scale training of large language models (LLMs), it was possible to study a federated, distributed and functional “pico center” model, developed using lean engineering methods and targeting different groups of end users.
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 center of excellence for AI in education, funded by the Union Education Ministry and incubated as a Section 8 company at IIT-M, which will consume less energy and consumes a data center. resources and provides, for example, personalized AI tutors to the 25 million students studying in Indian schools.
“We shouldn’t use a gun to kill a mosquito,” said Dr. Kamakoti. He also announced that the Center for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CeRAI) in collaboration with The Better India will create 500 videos showing case studies across the country on how to use AI responsibly and effectively.
He said that IIT-M will start working on a trusted AI Commons to strengthen AI accountability and responsibility.
Dr. Kamakoti has also launched a software platform for evaluating AI tools using more than 50 metrics and 100 sub-metrics in multiple languages and released a white paper on AI job scenario projection.
B. Ravindran, Director of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI and CeRAI, IIT-M, said the series of working papers released at the event showcased CeRAI’s commitment to working on what would be appropriate and suitable for AI for India and the use of lean engineering in AI development.
Gokul S. Krishnan, Director of Research, CeRAI also spoke.
Published – 23 Oct 2026 0:41 AM IST