In a move that signals the growing global footprint of Indian academic innovation, a new initiative is taking shape in the Middle East to advance applied artificial intelligence.
IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, the international initiative of IIT Madras, will establish its first Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre at Dubai CommerCity. The centre is aimed at converting advanced AI research into scalable, market-ready solutions.
In its first phase, the centre will host a portfolio of 6 applied AI start-ups with a combined valuation of around $118 million. The focus will be on translating cutting-edge AI capabilities into real-world applications that can scale across markets.
The project is expected to boost commercial activity and support the local development of intellectual property. It will also play a role in improving market access and attracting investment opportunities for start-ups operating across the GCC region.
An MoU to formalise the launch of the centre was signed on the sidelines of WORLDEF Dubai 2026, held earlier this month.
Amna Lootah, Director-General of Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Airport Freezone, said, “This MoU with IIT Madras Global Research Foundation marks a strategic milestone in advancing Dubai CommerCity’s role as a specialised free zone for digital trade and advanced technologies. The establishment of IITM Global’s first Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre within our ecosystem reinforces our commitment to enabling innovation-led growth.”
Highlighting the academic and strategic importance of the move, Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), IIT Madras, said, “The launch of the Applied AI Innovation Centre in Dubai marks a pivotal step in globalising IIT Madras’ research. It strengthens the India-UAE technological bond, establishing this strategic corridor as a global benchmark for AI solutions anchored in safety and governance.”
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