IIT Delhi, Walmart Global Tech Join Hands to Advance AI Research

IIT Delhi partners Walmart Global Tech in a four-year, ₹9 crore initiative to support AI, machine learning and data science research, student fellowships, faculty development and teacher training.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has partnered with Walmart Global Tech through a four-year initiative valued at approximately ₹9 crore to strengthen research, education and talent development in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and data science. The collaboration will be implemented through the institute’s Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence (ScAI), with around ₹2.3 crore earmarked for the current financial year.

The partnership aims to advance research with applications across industry and society while supporting the development of skilled AI professionals. It will also strengthen research infrastructure and expand opportunities for students, faculty members, teachers and industry professionals. The initiative is expected to contribute to India's growing AI research and education ecosystem.

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A key component of the collaboration is dedicated fellowships for student researchers at IIT Delhi’s Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence. The support is intended to encourage students to pursue research in AI, machine learning and data science, including projects addressing practical challenges in industry and society.

The partnership will also strengthen the school's research infrastructure and support work spanning foundational research and technology applications. IIT Delhi will lead the implementation over the four-year period and conduct regular reviews to assess progress and outcomes.

The initiative is expected to create opportunities for emerging researchers to work on advanced technology challenges and contribute to the development of AI-driven solutions.

Beyond research funding and student support, the partnership will focus on faculty development and teacher training. These initiatives aim to strengthen teaching capabilities and extend AI education beyond the IIT Delhi campus.

The programme will also provide learning opportunities for industry professionals and learners from underrepresented communities. By supporting educators who can carry AI knowledge into classrooms and other learning environments, the initiative seeks to widen access to technical education and build a broader talent pipeline.

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Prof. Jayant Jain, Dean of Corporate Relations at IIT Delhi, says industry partnerships play an important role in strengthening advanced research, innovation and technology-based entrepreneurship. Balu Chaturvedula, Senior Vice-President and Country Head of Walmart Global Tech, highlights the importance of developing research capabilities, expanding student pathways and strengthening educators to support India's role in the AI ecosystem.

Prof. Chetan Arora, Head of the Yardi School of AI, says the collaboration will help strengthen research infrastructure and nurture talent across foundational AI research and applications addressing societal challenges.

The partnership reflects a growing emphasis on industry-academia collaboration to connect advanced research with practical technology needs. Through fellowships, educator training and research support, IIT Delhi and Walmart Global Tech aim to develop a sustained pipeline of AI researchers, innovators and educators.