IBM, AICTE to set up national AI lab to boost research and skilling in India

In a major push to AI-driven innovation and skill development, global technology leader IBM has announced a partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to establish a National AI Lab at the AICTE Headquarters in New Delhi.

The announcement, made at IBM’s annual CSR event ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s AI capabilities. The lab will serve as a national centre for AI research, skilling, and innovation, enabling students, educators, and researchers across AICTE institutions to access advanced computing infrastructure, AI software platforms, and digital learning resources.

At the core of this initiative lies IBM SkillsBuild, the company’s free global learning platform offering over 1,000 courses in AI and emerging technologies. The collaboration supports IBM’s global goal of skilling 30 million people by 2030, including 2 million in AI by 2026. The lab will also conduct in-person workshops, mentorship programmes, and innovation challenges to encourage the real-world application of AI technologies.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan lauded the initiative, calling it a “commendable step toward strengthening AI-centric research, innovation, and skilling” and aligning with the government’s vision of fostering industry-academia collaboration to build a Viksit Bharat.

IBM’s Vice President for CSR, Justina Nixon-Saintil, said the initiative aims to “scale access to future skills and create pathways to meaningful careers,” while Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India & South Asia, noted that India is “at a pivotal moment to lead the AI-powered global economy.”

The National AI Lab is expected to become a hub for innovation, knowledge sharing, and next-generation skill development, accelerating India’s journey toward technological self-reliance and inclusive growth.