Coforge opens Data & AI lab at IIT (BHU) to foster innovation

Coforge Limited announced the inauguration of its Data & AI Lab at IIT (BHU), Varanasi, a significant step in the company's CSR commitment to fostering industry-academic collaboration in artificial intelligence and data science. The lab, established under a formal memorandum of understanding, is located in the I-DAPT building on the IIT (BHU) campus and spans 980 sq. ft. It is equipped with 32 high-end Apple desktops, Azure cloud access, video conferencing facilities, and curated learning modules via Percipio. This initiative aims to provide students and researchers with an enterprise-grade environment to explore real-world AI and data science applications.

The lab’s vision is to create an inclusive, innovation-led ecosystem that empowers students to address real-world challenges. Initially, it will support four key research projects: AI-assisted vulnerability detection for cybersecurity, an AI-powered assistive reading system for the visually impaired, an IoT and AI-based soil health monitoring system for sustainable agriculture, and a cognitive research initiative to enhance mathematical abilities in schoolchildren through brainwave-based interventions. The lab will also contribute to research publications, open-source development, and skill-building certifications in emerging technologies such as cloud computing and machine learning.

Sudhir Singh, chief executive and executive director of Coforge, highlighted that the lab will empower students to leverage AI for large-scale social issues. Prof. Amit Patra, director, IIT (BHU), emphasized AI's role as a transformative force. Beth Boucher, chairperson of Coforge’s CSR committee, noted the lab’s potential to create high-value roles in applied AI and data engineering, contributing to India's digital talent scaling. Anuradha Sehgal, chief brand and sustainability officer, expressed pride in the initiative, which aims to train the next generation of technologists in purpose-driven problem-solving.