Leads Agri Genetics Launches India’s 1st Privately-Owned Integrated CoE for Cattle & Plant Genomics

• Leads Agri Genetics initiative is a giant leap in advancing India’s agricultural biotechnology and livestock genomics capabilities.
• The Centre of Excellence (CoE) and laboratory will have a full-stack genomics service platform designed exclusively for the agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology sector.

Leads Agri Genetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leads Connect launched India’s first privately-owned Integrated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory in Greater Noida. This landmark initiative is a giant leap by Leads Connect in advancing India’s agricultural biotechnology and livestock genomics capabilities. Leads Agri Genetics is also the first Indian private company to have imported the Gir embryos - genetic material from Brazil to India under Breed Improvement Program.

The new centre was inaugurated by Mr. Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman, BL Agro, India’s leading FMCG brand and the holding company of Leads Connect. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) aims to catapult India at the forefront of global agri-genomics research and innovation. The newly launched Leads Agri Genetics Lab will have a full-stack genomics service platform that is designed exclusively for the agri-genomics and agricultural biotechnology sector.

Shri Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman of BL Agro Group, addressed the media during the launch event, expressing his strong support for government initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers. He emphasized the importance of genomics studies in enhancing agricultural productivity and yield. He said, such advancements will not only benefit the farming community but also contribute to the overall well-being of society.

Speaking on the inauguration, Navneet Ravikar, Group Chairman & Managing Director, Leads Connect Services said, “Indian agriculture is at an inflection point. Sustainability, climate challenges and pressure on higher yields are stressing the resources thin for our farmers. Our newly inaugurated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory is a landmark step towards self-reliance in agricultural biotechnology. With world-class genomic capabilities, we aim to empower India’s researchers, breeders, and farmers to innovate faster, build resilience, and create a sustainable future for agriculture.”

Leads Agri Genetics Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida

Leads Agri Genetics Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida 

Industry veteran with over two decades of experience Dr. Ashish Dubey is the Chief Business Officer of Integrated Centre of Excellence for Cattle and Plant Genomics Laboratory. Dr. Dubey, who also co-founded Redcliffe Labs, India’s fourth-largest diagnostics laboratory, is an expert in genomics projects spanning agriculture, human health, and diagnostics will strengthen the lab’s mission to advance genetic diversity research and genomic selection in cattle and crops.

“Genomics has transformed global science in the last decade, and agriculture stands to benefit immensely. At Leads Agri Genetics, our focus is on delivering end-to-end genomics solutions—from trait discovery to breeding acceleration—that directly impact productivity, sustainability, and food security,” said Dr. Ashish Dubey, CBO, Leads Agri Genetics.

Genomics has evolved over the decade exponentially due to its affordability and immense usage across the species including humans, plants and animals. After the Human Genome Project in 2003, there has been a paradigm shift in the field of research. The outcome from Genomics using Genomics selection in cattle and trait improvement in plants has been the biggest success stories with new GM Crops to BT cotton, and ultimately helping humankind for the sustainable and safer future.

By integrating world-class sequencing, genotyping, and bioinformatics, the lab empowers crop, livestock, and microbial researchers to accelerate trait discovery, breeding, and innovation with unmatched precision. The laboratory houses a cutting-edge suite of instruments including Illumina IScan for high-throughput SNP genotyping, NovaSeq for deep resequencing, PacBio and Oxford Nanopore for long-read assembly and structural variation analysis, and 10X Chromium for linked-read and single-cell assays. Together, this unique technology stack enables discovery across the full spectrum of genetic variation—from single nucleotide changes to complex structural rearrangements and haplotype phasing.

With access to multiple complementary sequencing and genotyping platforms, the Leads Agri Genetics Lab offers unmatched versatility, completeness, and customization. From comprehensive variant discovery and trait mapping to high-quality reference genome assembly and advanced transcriptomics, the lab is equipped to address challenges across crops, livestock, pests, and microbiomes—including non-model and polyploid species.

About Leads Agri-Genetics Pvt Ltd

Leads Agri-Genetics Pvt Ltd, a part of the renowned BL Agro Group, is advancing agriculture through Genetic Innovation. It is a pioneering force in agri-genomics, leveraging cutting-edge genetic research to revolutionize both animal and plant agriculture. By integrating advanced DNA sequencing, precision breeding, and data-driven genomic selection, the company aims to transform the way food is produced- ensuring higher yields, improved quality, and greater adaptability to climate change.

By bridging science and practical application, we empower farmers, agribusinesses, and research institutions to unlock the full potential of genetics in agriculture. Through continuous research, innovation, and collaboration, our company is driving a more resilient, productive, a n d sustainable agricultural future.

About Leads Connect Services

Leads Connect Services Pvt. Ltd. is a leading agri-tech, data-driven risk management, and financial services company committed to empowering rural, semi-urban, and urban economies within the agri-management ecosystem. By integrating cutting-edge technology with deep domain expertise, the company offers customized solutions spanning crop monitoring, risk analytics, and financial inclusion.

Its portfolio includes advanced agri-risk management services, such as automated identification of sowing and harvesting windows, crop phenology dynamics, acreage assessment, crop health and damage assessment, and yield modeling. The company has also developed an innovative framework to generate agri-credit scores, strengthening access to formal finance for farmers and agri-stakeholders.

SBI Launches MSME CoE in Gurugram to Drive Capacity Building and National Development Goals

State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest bank, inaugurated its Centre of Excellence (CoE) for MSMEs at the State Bank Academy (SBA), Gurugram. The Centre has been established with an objective of strengthening the MSME ecosystem through capacity building, research, and industry collaboration, thereby contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation.

The Centre was inaugurated by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Shri C.S. Setty, Chairman, in the presence of Shri Vinay M. Tonse, MD (RB&O), Shri Surender Rana, DMD (Retail-Agri, SME & FI), Shri Anindya Sunder Paul, DMD (SME & SCF) and Smt. Suranjana Dutta, CGM STU. SBA is an institute imparting specialized training in Credit, International Banking, Risk & Compliance and carrying out Research & Development in various spheres of banking.

State Bank Academy Gurukul, Gurgaon, Haryana

Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, said, “MSMEs are the true engines of growth, creating widespread employment and driving prosperity in rural India, which is critical for our journey towards becoming a developed nation. I urge this SBI Centre of Excellence to benchmark itself against the best MSME institutions in the country. My expectation is that the CoE will engage in making case studies and undertaking research, creating a rich repository of knowledge and sharing it online for the benefit of all, especially those in remote areas. Continuous innovation and deep engagement with entrepreneurs, fintechs, and startups will be the key to its success.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri C.S. Setty, Chairman, SBI, stated, “As the largest lender to MSMEs, with the widest network of SME branches, SBI is responsible to build capacity and the Centre of Excellence will serve as a hub of ideas and innovation, supporting the development of new SME-focused products and processes that can benefit the entire banking sector.”

Shri C.B.K. Singh, GM & Director, State Bank Academy, said, “The Centre has been established based on the vision articulated by the Chairman and would play a significant role in supporting the growth and development of the MSME sector.”

The CoE has been designed with an inclusive approach, engaging with MSME promoters, startups, industry associations, academia, government, regulators, and banking professionals. This collaborative model will ensure that the Centre’s initiatives remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs of the sector.

MERGEN Launches ServiceNow CoE in Hyderabad; Aims to Double the Talent in AI and Workflow Automation

• The CoE for ServiceNow established at a cost of $1,000,000, aims to accelerate project delivery, expand into two or more new industry verticals, and grow the certified talent pool.

MERGEN Corporates announced the launch of its largest ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) Digital Workflow Center of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad, onboarding 50+ ServiceNow experts, and aims to double the headcount by beginning of 2026. Through this new CoE, MERGEN aims to provide comprehensive support to enterprises through its Now Platform®, seeking to streamline their operations, enhance efficiency, and drive growth.

Established with an initial investment of $500,000, the new Center of Excellence (CoE) spans a 150-seat facility at the MERGEN Global Delivery Center. An additional 8,000 square feet has been earmarked for future expansion, with a further $500,000 allocated, bringing the total planned investment to $1 million.

The new Center of Excellence (CoE) will generate over 50+ new roles in AI and Workflow automation over the next 12 months. The Center of Excellence is designed to support faster project delivery, enable entry into more than four new industry verticals, and scale ServiceNow certified talent pool to meet growing client demand.

Let to Right: Mr. Mahanth Mallikarjuna, Founder & CEO, MERGEN, Mr. Sudhakar Pennam Founder & CEO, Kairos Technologies Inc, and Ganesh S. Lakshminarayanan, Managing Director, ServiceNow India

As part of the ongoing expansion, MERGEN will further upgrade capabilities to transform and enable customers to leverage and scale digital workflow solutions using the Now Platform®. MERGEN already offers domain-centric solutions on the ServiceNow platform across financial services, insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail & hospitality, public sector, energy & utilities, and business services both in India and worldwide.

Mahanth Mallikarjuna, Founder & CEO, MERGEN, said, “The launch of our Center of Excellence for ServiceNow strengthens our commitment to delivering greater execution speed, operational efficiency, and business value for our growing client base. The CoE will focus on building industry-specific solutions, accelerating project execution through low-code and AIOps capabilities, expanding into new verticals, and growing our certified talent pool to support evolving client needs."

In his address Ganesh S. Lakshminarayanan, GVP, Sales and Managing Director, India and SAARC said “MERGEN’s new ServiceNow Center of Excellence comes at a critical moment in India’s enterprise AI journey. In our recently launched Enterprise AI Maturity Index that clearly shows 68% of Indian leaders are still defining the skills and strategies needed to fully leverage AI. MERGEN’s investment in talent, platform expertise, and industry-specific solutions plays an important role in supporting this evolution. We look forward to working together to help businesses simplify operations and unlock greater value through AI-driven transformation.”

The CoE will offer end-to-end implementation and managed services, supporting both greenfield and brownfield ServiceNow deployments. Its solution portfolio spans core modules such as ITOM, CSM, IRM, ITAM, SPM, AIOps, and industry solutions such as OTSM, TSM, PSDS, FSM, and ERP modernization, positioning Mergen to deliver tailored, scalable solutions across diverse business needs.

Mergen’s successful implementations include AI-powered telehealth in healthcare, optimized supply chain solutions in manufacturing and logistics, and cloud-based transformations in retail and telecom, which empower clients to overcome industry-specific challenges and achieve scalable growth.

About Mergen

Founded in 2015, MERGEN is a global technology services company offering software engineering, cloud-native development, ServiceNow and Salesforce implementation, analytics, and Workday consulting. With a team of 350+ professionals, MERGEN has delivered 800+ successful workload migrations and served 100+ clients across industries.

MERGEN Corporate Private Limited is a future-driven, leading technology services company enabling clients to shape digital transformation. ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is the leading digital workflow company, which delivers a better experience for customers and employees.

Centre of Excellence Unveiled in Bengaluru, Anchoring AI, 5G, and Quantum Research

Union Minister of Communications and Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Thursday, inaugurated the VTU-VRIF-TCOE Hub and Spoke Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, a major milestone in India’s mission to accelerate innovation across emerging technologies.

The Centre is the result of a strategic collaboration between Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Visvesvaraya Research and Innovation Foundation (VRIF), and Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCOE) India, forming an academic-industrial powerhouse focused on future-forward domains including 5G/6G communications, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), quantum computing, and healthcare technologies.

“In the last 11 years, PM Modi has fundamentally redefined the role of government—from a regulator to a facilitator,” said Minister Scindia. “This Centre is a direct extension of that transformation.”

A Launchpad for Deep-Tech Innovation

The Bengaluru facility operates under a hub-and-spoke model, connecting 228 affiliated colleges and over 400,000 students through VTU’s academic network. The campus boasts over 1 lakh sq. ft. of infrastructure, equipped with cutting-edge R&D labs, collaborative spaces for startups, video conferencing rooms, and student-friendly amenities including daycare and cafeteria services.

Currently, the ecosystem hosts 20+ startups and engages 30+ academic institutions, supported by industry leaders like Keysight Technologies, QpiAI, and Televerge. Skill development programs are being steered by the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) to align talent with industry needs.

Aligning with Bharat 6G Vision

The Centre’s focus on 6G innovation ties directly into India’s broader ambitions under the Bharat 6G Alliance, which aims to place the country at the forefront of global 6G development by 2030. Areas under active exploration include Indigenous Radio Access Networks (RAN), rural connectivity, and cross-sectoral applications of 6G in agriculture, healthcare, and sustainability.

Connectivity and Impact

Minister Scindia highlighted India's rapid digital transformation:

• Internet users have surged from 250 million to 974 million.
• Broadband subscribers now exceed 940 million.
• India boasts the world’s largest optical fiber network, spanning every village.

CoE Centre represents a paradigm shift in India's tech-driven policy framework, blending academic excellence with industrial agility. By serving as a crucible for deep-tech research, startup incubation, and nationwide skill development, it reinforces the government’s vision of "facilitation over regulation", setting the stage for India’s next decade of innovation.

Hyundai Motor Opens CoE for Future Mobility at IIT Delhi

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group), on Thursday, announced the opening of the Hyundai Center of Excellence (CoE) for future mobility technology (Hyundai CoE) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

This initiative is establishing a joint research system to advance future mobility technologies focused on electrification and battery systems, reflecting the Group’s commitment to driving innovation tailored to the needs of Indian customers.

To recall, it was in December last year when Hyundai Motor announced partnership with three IITs – IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.

The Group has selected nine joint research projects in collaboration with IITs as part of its long-term academic-industrial cooperation framework. These projects cover key focus areas including:

• Battery cells, systems and testing
• Battery management systems (BMS)
• Energy density enhancement
• Safety
• Durability
• Diagnostic technologies.

The initiative also explores new materials and system components, driving forward innovation in battery design and performance.

Hyundai Motor Group officials – including Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of the R&D Division; Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Limited; and Chang Hwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit – attended the main agreement ceremony held in New Delhi. They were joined by IIT representatives, including Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi; Dean Manu Santhanam from IIT Madras; and Dean Sachin C. Patwardhan from IIT Bombay.

The Steering Committee of the Hyundai CoE will be co-chaired by EVP Chang Hwan Kim and Dean Bijaya Ketan Panigrahi at IIT Delhi.

“We’re excited to work with India’s brightest minds in battery innovation,” said Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of R&D Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “Collaborating with leading researchers and IIT professors through the Hyundai Center of Excellence for future mobility technology will help us develop technologies tailored to India while contributing to its economy and society. We see this partnership with India’s academia and industry as a foundation for building a sustainable future together.”

Future Technology Research

In parallel, the Group is expanding its Future Technology Research Program, which has been in operation since 2021. Unlike the general operation methods of academic-industrial projects, the program allows university faculty members to propose their own research topics, which are then reviewed and selected by the Group.

Previously limited to domestic universities and Korean professors at overseas institutions, the program has been expanded to include foreign faculties – beginning with professors at IITs. This marks a significant step in globalizing the Group’s academic collaboration efforts.

Starting with IIT Delhi, the Hyundai CoE will expand in phases to build an India-wide network of experts, connecting leading researchers and institutions across the country.

Currently, the Group collaborates with three IIT universities (IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras), engaging around 30 professors. By December 2025, it aims to expand its reach to 10 universities in India, including non-IIT institutions, with approximately 100 professors participating.

The Group is organizing a range of initiatives to further strengthen this collaborative ecosystem. These include:

• Technology exchange forums bringing together experts from both India and Korea
• Global conferences on battery and EV technologies to share insights on trends and policies
• Policy dialogue sessions that engage key stakeholders from the Indian government, academia, and industry to discuss the future of the mobility and electrification sectors

As the Group’s first academic-industrial collaboration model for a growth economy, the Hyundai CoE is set to become a central hub for research and innovation. It will play a key role in advancing future mobility solutions while fostering a strong, localized innovation base tailored to the evolving needs of the Indian market.

Wipro Launches GitHub CoE to Accelerate AI Innovation

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology services and consulting company, today announced the launch of its GitHub Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The CoE, as part of Wipro’s ai360 initiative, will serve as a central hub for GitHub-related innovation within Wipro.

The GitHub CoE will use advanced tools to enhance collaboration, learning, and efficiency among development teams. Integrating GitHub tools, including Microsoft M365 and GitHub Copilot, into the software engineering process will enable Wipro teams to drive greater productivity and innovation at scale, providing exponential value to clients.

"The launch of our GitHub CoE highlights our commitment to championing a culture of AI-first mindset with the right skillset and toolset amongst our workforce," said Sanjeev Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Wipro Limited. “We are equipping our developers with the best tools and practices and encouraging a culture of innovation to build future ready AI-powered industry and cross-industry solutions that solve our client’s unique business challenges.”

Kyle Daigle, Chief Operating Officer at GitHub, said, “Wipro has long been a pioneer in innovation, and by rolling out GitHub Copilot at scale, they’re showing the world what true transformation with AI looks like. The GitHub CoE is more than an investment–it’s a blueprint for building with AI at the core. We're proud to build this future together–with the right tools, ingenuity, and a shared belief in what developers can achieve.”

The CoE will have a dedicated team of AI champions, who will receive comprehensive training and support to ensure proficiency in using GitHub and its associated tools. The GitHub CoE will enhance Wipro's teams' skills, enabling efficient delivery of high-quality industry focused solutions. Standardizing development practices will reduce time-to-market and improve deliverable quality, benefiting clients with faster delivery, better collaboration, and stronger solutions.

To equip Wipro associates with GitHub expertise, the CoE will offer training initiatives, including workshops, hackathons, codeathons, and meetups. Additionally, the CoE will create a Community of Practice to promote knowledge exchange and cross-team collaboration through GitHub Champions and subject matter experts.

AICTE and IG Drones Partner to Establish 50 Drone CoEs in Engineering Institutes Across India

AICTE and IG Drones Join Hands to Establish 50 Drone Centres of Excellence in Technical Institutes across India

In a landmark move towards creating a technologically skilled and self-reliant India, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IG Drones to set up 50 Drone Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across 50 engineering colleges in India. This initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, aiming to bridge the skill gap in emerging technologies by empowering youth with cutting-edge training in drone technology.

The Drone Centres of Excellence will serve as dynamic hubs for innovation, hands-on training, and research, embedding advanced drone technology into technical education. Students will gain industry-relevant skills and certifications in drone operations, manufacturing, and applications. Under this initiative, 200 students from each university will be trained, equipping over 10,000 learners with specialized expertise in drone technology. These centres aim to foster entrepreneurship and indigenous innovation, creating a skilled workforce for high-impact sectors like agriculture, defence, disaster management, logistics, and urban planning. This initiative will play a vital role in driving economic growth and preparing youth for future-ready, impact-driven careers in a self-reliant, tech-enabled India.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, said, "This collaboration with IG Drones is a step towards realizing Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ powered by skilled youth. By embedding drone technology into our technical education framework, we are not only preparing our students for tomorrow’s jobs but also strengthening India’s capabilities in home-grown, high-end technology sectors. These Centres of Excellence will serve as vibrant hubs of innovation—democratizing access to advanced technology, promoting inclusion, and fostering entrepreneurship and indigenous development. They will not only equip students with industry-ready skills but also encourage them to launch their own startups and build solutions in high-end tech drone sectors."

The partnership gains further significance against the backdrop of the Government’s 2025–26 Union Budget, which has reaffirmed skilling as a top national priority. The establishment of five National Centres for Excellence in Skilling, a Centre of Excellence in AI, and 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs is part of a broader effort to equip youth with industry-relevant, specialized skills in a rapidly transforming economic landscape.

Adding a strong regional dimension to this national initiative, India’s first-ever Drone Centres of Excellence (CoEs) were established in Odisha in February, where Member of Parliament Sujeet Kumar, under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), partnered with IG Drones to set up Drone Training Centres in the Kalahandi district. These centres are a crucial part of IG Drones’ larger mission of preparing India’s youth for the Industrial 4.0 Revolution, with a goal to skill over 10 million students in advanced drone technologies through its Drone Centres of Excellence. Focused on tribal and rural upskilling, particularly among women and youth, the Kalahandi centres aim to create future-ready talent pools in underserved areas.

Two such centres have already been established in the gram panchayats of Sagada and Bhatangpadar, offering hands-on training to develop certified drone pilots and technicians. These programs not only provide pathways to meaningful employment but also spark STEM interest among schoolchildren, driving the long-term technological empowerment of the region.

Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder of IG Drones, said, 

Our mission is deeply rooted in the principles of indigenous innovation. Through this partnership, we aim to build a drone ecosystem that is truly ‘Made in India’, powered by local talent, and equipped to serve global standards. We believe this is how we make technology inclusive, equitable, and meaningful, especially for rural and tribal communities.

IG Drones is at the forefront of research-led, locally manufactured drone technology, minimizing reliance on foreign imports and strengthening India's position as a leader in drone innovation. The company’s focus on indigenous design, development, and deployment aligns with the national goal of creating a resilient and self-sufficient technological landscape.

This collaboration between AICTE and IG Drones marks a significant step in transforming India's technical education system by connecting classrooms with cutting-edge industry practices. It exemplifies how public-private partnerships can accelerate progress towards a skilled, empowered, and globally competitive Bharat—ready to lead the world in new-age technologies.

India’s First Drone CoE Launched in Odisha by MP Sujeet Kumar Under SAGY, in Collaboration with IG Drones to Uplift Tribal Youth

In a groundbreaking development, Member of Parliament Sujeet Kumar established India’s first-ever Drone Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) in partnership with leading Drone Technology company IG Drones.

MP Sujeet Kumar

Located in the Gram Panchayats of Sagada and Bhatangpadar in Odisha's Kalahandi district, these centers represent a significant leap toward empowering tribal youth and women through advanced skill development in drone technology. This is the first time that such centers of excellence have been launched under the flagship scheme by the Central Government, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 to drive inclusive rural development.

Adopted by MP Sujeet Kumar under the SAGY initiative—Sagada and Bhatangpadar villages have undergone remarkable transformations. By allocating ₹10 lakhs from his MPLADS fund, Kumar has brought cutting-edge technological education to these underserved areas, aligning with the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047. The initiative also supports the Prime Minister’s Drone Policy, which envisions a significant expansion of drone operations in India, from 27,000 to over one lakh.

MP Sujeet Kumar, speaking about the initiative, highlighted its transformative potential.

The Drone Centres of Excellence are a testament to the power of technology in driving equitable development. By equipping tribal youth and women with cutting-edge skills, we are opening up opportunities that were once out of reach and ensuring their participation in India’s digital economy. This futuristic step was possible with the support of IG Drones which are establishing such centers of excellence in other parts of the country as well.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder & CEO, IG Drones, said:

We are happy to take yet another step in empowering the tribal youth and highlighting Odisha as a drone hub at a national level. These centers aim to provide specialized training to rural students and unemployed youth, preparing them for roles as drone pilots and technicians. As the drone industry in India continues to expand rapidly, this initiative addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in the sector.

The centers also create pathways for employment by facilitating placements through IG Drones’ expertise and partnerships with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Reflecting MP Kumar’s focus on holistic development, the Drone CoEs place a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment. By integrating Prime Minister Modi’s “Drone Didis” initiative, these centers equip women to use drone technology in agriculture and other applications, fostering economic independence and breaking traditional gender barriers. This approach not only enhances their employability but also positions them as key contributors to India’s technological advancement.

In addition to empowering women, the centers address systemic unemployment in tribal regions by equipping youth with future-ready skills. Aligned with the National Education Policy’s focus on STEM education, the CoEs spark interest in technology among schoolchildren while bridging the rural-urban divide in access to advanced learning. By introducing drone technology to tribal regions, the initiative ensures equitable access to opportunities, in keeping with the government’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” agenda.

The establishment of these centers comes at a pivotal moment for India’s drone industry. With applications in agriculture, logistics, defense, and infrastructure, the sector is not only driving innovation but also creating significant employment opportunities. This initiative by MP Sujeet Kumar and IG Drones ensures that tribal youth are well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from the sector’s growth, transforming Kalahandi into a hub of skill development and technological progress.

For IG Drones, a leader in drone technology and innovation, this partnership underscores their commitment to using technology for societal good. Based in Noida, IG Drones specializes in Made-in-India drone solutions powered by AI, and its collaboration with MP Kumar reflects its dedication to advancing India’s technological self-reliance.

The Drone CoEs in Sagada and Bhatangpadar marks a new chapter in rural empowerment. By bridging technological divides, fostering gender inclusivity, and addressing unemployment, this initiative sets a benchmark for public-private partnerships in advancing national priorities. It serves as a model for leveraging innovation to uplift marginalized communities and positions India as a global leader in drone technology-driven development.

Karnataka to Set Up ₹2,500 Cr CoE Focused on Skill Development Spurring Innovation

The Karnataka government has announced plans to set up a Centre of Excellence at a cost of ₹2,500 crore (approximately $296 million USD. This initiative aims to enhance higher education in line with new innovations and emerging technologies.

The project will be funded with a World Bank loan of ₹1,750 crore, while the state government will contribute ₹750 crore.

The Centre of Excellence will focus on skill development in higher education, updating curricula to meet industry needs, and fostering entrepreneurship. It will benefit polytechnic, engineering, and humanities students, with a portion of the curriculum dedicated to emerging technology innovation and start-ups.

M.C. Sudhakar, Minister for Higher Education, said:

The Center of Excellence is mainly related to higher education, and skill development will be given high priority. In addition, the curriculum will be implemented on the basis of skill development and a credit system will be adopted to provide space for serious study by students. Instead of implementing skill development in the internship model, it will be implemented as part of the curriculum from the first semester itself, as per the needs of the industries. 

The project is expected to be implemented within four years. The center will provide a platform for students to engage in serious study and practical application of skills from the first semester itself.

The curriculum will be designed to incorporate emerging technology innovations and start-ups. About 60% of the standard templates will be used for all departments, with the remaining 40% dedicated to emerging technology innovation and start-ups.

The center aims to make engineering and other courses more relevant and attractive to students by adapting new skills according to industry development and new innovations.

Hyundai Group Partners Three IITs for Battery-Tech, Electrification Research, Investing $7 Mn

• Hyundai Motor Group partners with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to establish a collaborative research system in batteries and electrification
• Group plans to invest around USD 7 million over five years, starting in 2025, to jointly conduct battery and electrification-related research with the IIT universities
• The Hyundai CoE to facilitate technical and human exchanges between battery and electrification experts from Korea and India, fostering talent and promoting long-term employment

Hyundai Motor Group, on Tuesday, announced partnerships with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to establish a collaborative research system in the fields of batteries and electrification. The three institutes include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.

Hyundai Motor Group Partners with Indian Institutes of Technology to Advance Battery and Electrification Research

Investment:

USD 7 million over five years (2025-2029) to support various research activities.

Hyundai Center of Excellence (COE):

• Location: IIT Delhi
• Objective: To drive advancements in batteries and electrification, specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of the Indian market.
• Activities: Conducting joint research, facilitating technical and human exchanges between Korean and Indian experts, and fostering talent development.

Collaboration Areas:

• Battery Technology: Researching and developing advanced battery solutions.
• Electrification: Innovating in electrification technologies.
• Software Development: Enhancing software for electric vehicles (EVs)
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Exploring hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

Impact:

• EV Ecosystem: Contributing to the establishment of an EV ecosystem in India, in line with government policies for expanding EV distribution.
• Academic-Industrial Cooperation: Promoting collaboration between academia and industry to drive innovation and growth.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to contribute to the establishment of an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in India. This will be done in conjunction with various policies for expanding EV distribution, implemented by the Indian government. The collaboration will involve the Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART), the only EV-related research institute in India, located within IIT Delhi.

The Hyundai CoE will not only conduct joint research on academic-industrial cooperation tasks but also facilitate technical and human exchanges between battery and electrification experts from Korea and India. This will involve technical exchange meetings, special IIT lectures by Group battery and electrification experts, and operation of Korean visit training programs. The Group plans to continue efforts for, fostering talent and mid- to long-term employment.

This partnership aligns with Hyundai Motor Group's efforts to expand its presence in India and support the country's transition to sustainable mobility solutions.

Cognizant and IBM Launch Global FinOps CoE To Help Enterprises with Modernization Challenges

Cognizant and IBM have teamed up to launch a Global FinOps Center of Excellence (CoE). This center is designed to help enterprises manage the complexities of modernizing legacy applications and adopting enterprise-scale Al solutions.

The CoE aims to help global clients address challenges such as escalating costs, Al readiness, cloud governance, and architecture modernization . By leveraging the strengths of both Cognizant and IBM, the CoE helps clients operate more efficiently and innovate quickly and responsibly.

The CoE aims to modernize mainframe applications to increase agility and innovation through code modernization. This involves leveraging IBM's watsonx Code Assistant for Z to support the adoption of a hybrid cloud strategy and maximize the value of mainframe investments.

The initiative aims to provide visibility and accountability over cloud costs, optimize usage, and implement real-time production adjustments to eliminate waste in multi-cloud environments. This helps organizations manage cloud expenses more effectively and ensures efficient resource utilization.

The initiative also includes implementing AI governance to ensure AI systems are fair, transparent, and compliant with quality standards.

This collaboration leverages IBM's FinOps software and Cognizant's cloud and developer platforms to help clients transition to modern architectures and streamline cloud management operations.

Alongside the CoE, Cognizant launched extensions of its Cognizant Skygrade™ and Flowsource™ platforms. These extensions are designed to integrate with IBM's Apptio, Turbonomic, watsonx.governance, and watsonx Code Assistant for Z. This integration brings together Cognizant's deep engineering capabilities with IBM's powerful tools to help clients transition to modern architectures and streamline cloud management operations.

For an uninitiated, FinOps (short for Financial Operations) is an operational framework and cultural practice that aims to maximize the business value of cloud computing while enabling financial accountability and data-driven decision-making. FinOps is sometimes referred to as Cloud Financial Management, Cloud Cost Management, or Cloud Optimization. The goal is to get the most value out of cloud investments, driving efficient growth and innovation.

Zoho's Sridhar Vembu To Co-Chair Oversee Committee for 3 AI CoEs

Dharmendra Pradhan to Announce 3 AI-CoE on Healthcare, Agriculture and Sustainable Cities on 15 Oct.'24

Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, will be announcing three AI Centres of Excellence (CoE) focused on Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities on 15th October 2024 in New Delhi.

To realize the vision of "Viksit Bharat," these three CoEs for Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be led by top educational institutions, in consortium with industry partners and startups. They will conduct interdisciplinary research, develop cutting-edge applications, and create scalable solutions in these three areas. This initiative aims to galvanize an effective AI ecosystem and nurture quality human resources in these critical fields.

To oversee the implementation of this initiative, an industry heavy Apex Committee has been constituted, co-chaired by Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation.

As part of the vision to "Make AI in India and Make AI work for India," the establishment of these centres was announced under Para 60 of the Budget Announcement for 2023-24. In alignment with this, the Government has approved the creation of the three AI Centres of Excellence, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 990.00 Cr over the period of FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.

Shri K.Sanjay Murthy, Secretary/HE will grace the occasion, along with Directors of IITs, Heads of higher educational institutions (HEIs), industry leaders, start-up founders and senior officials from various ministries of the Government of India.

Govt Approves NCoE for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Xtended Reality

The Indian government has recently approved the establishment of the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). This initiative aims to position India as a global hub for content creation and attract foreign investments.

The NCoE will be set up in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and will function as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013. It will offer specialized training programs, foster research and development, and support startups in the AVGC-XR sector.

This move is expected to significantly boost the media and entertainment industry, creating numerous job opportunities and enhancing India's soft power globally.

AVGC-XR sector today plays an indispensable role in the entire realm of Media and Entertainment including filmmaking, Over The Top (OTT) platforms, gaming, advertisements and several other areas including health, education and other social sectors thereby encompassing the overall structure of the country’s growth story. With rapidly evolving technology and increasing internet penetration all across the country, coupled with one of the cheapest data rates, the usage of AVGC-XR globally is poised to grow at an exponential Pace.

Ashwini Vaishnav, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said on a social media post, "Films like RRR, Baahubali, The Lion King and Avatar have demonstrated the immense potential of animation and immersive technology!"

"India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector is poised for explosive growth, with vast opportunities for employment and innovation.," the Minister said.

NCoE will also foster research and development and will bring together experts from various fields like computer science, engineering, design and art that can lead to major breakthroughs in the field of AVGC-XR.

This Centre will also extensively focus on creation of India’s IP for both domestic consumption and global outreach, overall leading to creation of content based on India’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Further, the NCoE will function as an incubation centre by providing resources for nurturing startups and early-stage companies in the AVGC-XR field. Also, NCoE will serve not only as an academic accelerator but also a production/ industry accelerator.

The key goals of NCoE

The National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) has several key goals:

1. Skill Development: Providing specialized training programs to develop a skilled workforce in the AVGC-XR sector.

2. Research and Development: Fostering innovation and research in emerging technologies related to animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality.

3. Industry Support: Supporting startups and small businesses in the AVGC-XR sector through incubation, mentorship, and funding opportunities.

4. Global Competitiveness: Positioning India as a global hub for AVGC-XR content creation and attracting foreign investments.

5. Job Creation: Generating employment opportunities in the media and entertainment industry.

6. Cultural Promotion: Enhancing India's soft power by promoting Indian culture and creativity globally through high-quality content.

The NCoE for AVGC-XR will also position India as a content hub for providing state-of-the-art content thereby enhancing India’s soft power globally and attracting foreign investment into the Media & Entertainment Sector.

Applied Materials to Ink Deal with Tamil Nadu Govt to Establish CoE

Applied Materials is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government to establish an advanced AI-enabled Center of Excellence (CoE) in Chennai.

Applied Materials, Inc. is a leading American corporation specializing in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world.

The signing of the deal will take place in San Francisco, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials, in attendance.

This Center aims to bolster the semiconductor ecosystem in Tamil Nadu by collaborating with local universities and industry partners. It will focus on semiconductor manufacturing and equipment, and is expected to create over 500 technical jobs in the state.

This initiative is part of Tamil Nadu's broader strategy to become a leading hub for semiconductor manufacturing and to support India's goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

The Center of Excellence will work closely with universities to advance research in AI, machine learning, and data science specifically for semiconductor manufacturing. By partnering with academic institutions, Applied Materials aims to cultivate a skilled workforce that is well-versed in the latest technologies and methodologies in semiconductor manufacturing.

Notably, Applied Materials has a significant presence in India, playing a crucial role in the country’s semiconductor, display, and solar manufacturing ecosystems. The US company was established in India in 2002 and has offices in Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai, and Pune.

Applied Materials' India center is integral to the company’s global IT infrastructure, offering digital solutions, services, and hosting the company’s second-largest data center.

Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Applied Materials plays a crucial role in the semiconductor, flat panel display, and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries.

The company operates worldwide, with significant contributions to the semiconductor industry in various countries, including the U.S., Japan, and China. As of 2023, the company reported revenues of approximately $26.52 billion, with a net income of $6.856 billion. 

Google Cloud to Open a Startup Hub and CoE in Madhya Pradesh

Google Cloud is planning to establish a startup hub and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Madhya Pradesh. This initiative is part of a larger investment proposal worth approximately ₹3,200 crore, which aims to create around 7,000 jobs. The announcement was made by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who highlighted the potential for significant growth in the state's IT sector.

This move is expected to boost the local economy and foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) that Google Cloud plans to establish in Madhya Pradesh will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and development in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. It aims to provide training and upskilling opportunities for local talent, helping them acquire the necessary skills to thrive in the tech industry.

The CoE will offer resources and mentorship to startups, fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship. It will facilitate collaboration between academia, industry, and government to drive technological advancements and economic growth.

The CoE will also focus on sustainable practices and solutions, aligning with global efforts to address environmental challenges.

This initiative is expected to significantly boost the local economy, create job opportunities, and position Madhya Pradesh as a key player in India’s tech landscape.

Google Cloud's investment in Madhya Pradesh is a significant initiative aimed at transforming the state into a tech hub. The initiative includes collaborations with other tech giants like NVIDIA and Infosys to further enhance the state's technological capabilities.

This move is anticipated to significantly boost the local economy and position Madhya Pradesh as a key player in India's tech landscape.

Besides, this investment aligns with Madhya Pradesh's strategic goals to attract more IT companies and foster a robust tech ecosystem. The state government has been actively engaging with industry leaders to explore further opportunities in aerospace, defense, and IT sectors.

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit in Bengaluru attracted over 500 industry leaders. The event focused on investment opportunities in aerospace, defense, and IT sectors.

Madhya Pradesh is positioning itself as a major player in the AI landscape with collaborations involving Google Cloud and NVIDIA. These efforts are expected to revolutionize sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

HCLTech and IBM Announce GenAI CoE to Support Clients with Customized AI Solutions

HCLTech plans to train 10,000 employees on IBM’s watsonx™ AI and data platform

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, and IBM today announced a new collaboration to establish a Generative AI Center of Excellence (GenAI CoE) based on the IBM watsonx™ AI and data platform.

The CoE, which will be available through HCLTech’s AI and Cloud Native Labs in Noida, London and New Jersey and Santa Clara in the US, will help enterprises modernize legacy applications, develop IT service management (ITSM) use cases, reduce coding complexity, improve skill development on the IBM watsonx™ platform and enable continuous innovation.

“This expansion of our work with IBM will facilitate rapid exploration of AI’s potential as we create highly differentiated HCLTech offerings using the latest IBM technology. We plan to embed watsonx in HCLTech AI Force with GenAI-powered solutions to support code modernization,” said Alan Flower, EVP, Global Head, AI & Cloud Native Labs, HCLTech. “Additionally, we plan to help our clients accelerate GenAI adoption through AI facilitated by watsonx while enhancing digital skills for enterprise productivity through the implementation of watsonx Orchestrate.”

Together with IBM, HCLTech aims to train 10,000 of its engineers and architects in IBM's innovative AI technologies, specifically watsonx. The adaptive portfolio, CloudSMART for IBM, assists businesses in continuous innovation through advanced technologies, utilizing the latest business and technology insights.

“Driving adoption of responsible generative AI solutions is an important component of our collaboration with service partners like HCLTech. Through this Center of Excellence, we plan to empower our joint clients to rapidly explore, experiment and engineer generative AI solutions with watsonx that are designed to meet their current business challenges,” said Stephen Smith, General Manager, Service Partners, IBM Ecosystem.

The CoE will offer clients access to education and training resources covering diverse AI technologies, including watsonx.ai, watsonx.data, watsonx.governance, watsonx Code Assistants, watsonx Orchestrate and watsonx Assistant to help skill their resources and provide a platform for building use cases.

GitHub and Infosys Together Launch CoE in Bengaluru

GitHub has partnered with Infosys to launch a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. This collaboration is aimed at accelerating the software production process by partnering with Global System Integrators (GSIs). The CoE was inaugurated by GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke, and it represents a significant step in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance the speed of software development globally.

The partnership also highlights the importance of GitHub Copilot, which is being enabled organization-wide at Infosys to assist developers throughout the software development lifecycle. This move is expected to bring about a globalized step change in the speed of software production.

This initiative is part of a broader trend where Indian developers are becoming increasingly significant contributors to AI projects on GitHub's platform. It's projected that by 2027, India will surpass the United States in terms of the total developer population on GitHub. This partnership between GitHub and Infosys is a testament to the growing influence of Indian developers in the global software development landscape.

The primary goal is to accelerate the software development process by leveraging artificial intelligence and GitHub's tools, including GitHub Copilot. By integrating GitHub Copilot across Infosys organization-wide, developers are expected to experience a significant boost in productivity and efficiency.

How GitHub and @Infosys—the renowned IT consulting firm—work together to help developers across India and the world 🌏🚀 pic.twitter.com/o4QoZrADcM

— GitHub (@github) June 9, 2024

The partnership underscores the growing influence of Indian developers in the global software economy. It's projected that by 2027, India will have the largest developer population on GitHub, surpassing the United States.

The establishment of the CoE is a strategic move to harness the potential of AI in software development and to create a new wave of business value in the global economy. It marks the beginning of what GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke refers to as the "Age of Copilot," signifying a new era for GSIs and software development at large.

L&T Technology Services Opens Simulation CoE for Airbus in Bengaluru

L&T Technology Services (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS) announced the inauguration of the Simulation Centre of Excellence for Airbus, strategically located at the LTTS state-of-the-art campus in Bangalore. This Centre of Excellence is designed to bolster engineering support for Airbus aircraft structural simulation activities across its diverse business units in Europe spanning France, Germany, the UK, and Spain.

Equipped with the5 latest simulation software, hardware, and high-performance computational machinery, the Simulation CoE aims to unify and standardize processes across all Airbus European business units and aircraft programs. The ultimate objective is to streamline efficiency and enhance productivity, facilitating the timely achievement of program milestones.

Initiated approximately 18 months ago with a specialized core team, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) has demonstrated significant growth and development. The strategic plan includes a substantial scaling up of the centre over the next two years. This expansion reflects the deep commitment of LTTS to fostering innovation and excellence in aerospace engineering, highlighting the dedication to advancing the industry through sustained development and expertise.

Speaking on this significant development, Alind Saxena, President - Sales and Executive Director, L&T Technology Services stated, "The establishment of the Simulation CoE for Airbus reflects our deep-seated commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation alongside Airbus. This Centre is not just about technology; it's about creating a standardized, efficient framework that propels Airbus’ industry-leading aircraft into the future Together, we are not just navigating the present landscape but also shaping the future of aviation, ensuring that our collaboration remains a key driver of our success in India and the world."

The establishment of the Simulation CoE for Airbus marks a decade of fruitful collaboration between LTTS and Airbus India, highlighting a shared dedication to innovation and excellence in the global aerospace industry. It serves as a foundation for both companies to continue their dominance in important markets like Europe and India, driving forward with a common process that enhances operational efficiency and productivity.

TCS To Set Up First-of-its-Kind Human-Centric AI CoE in France

• Based at the new TCS PacePort™ in Paris, the center will focus on the brain-machine interface, developing empathy in machines and unleashing the creativity of AI
• Joins a growing AI ecosystem as part of France’s 2030 National Strategy for AI, with TCS creating new jobs and internships, aiding the country’s goal to double its AI-skilled workforce in the next five years
• The center will take an industry-first approach for the BFS, manufacturing, energy and consumer industries to deepen the adoption of AI in the French economy

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced the creation of a Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence in Paris, during the Choose France Summit, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. The summit was attended by 300 global CEOs, including Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, the Chairman of Tata Sons.

The new AI center will be based in the upcoming TCS PacePort™ in the La Défense area of Paris, which will be inaugurated in June 2024, becoming the 7th such facility in TCS’ global Pace network, following Amsterdam, London, New York, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Tokyo. The TCS AI Center of Excellence in Paris will leverage TCS’ global ecosystem of startups, academia, and research organizations to bring the best of global capabilities to French companies. The new center will join France’s growing AI ecosystem and tap into its deep talent base in design and engineering, to build advanced technologies in the space of human-centric AI. It will focus on pushing the boundaries of how AI can be designed and evolved to address business efficiencies and societal priorities. The impact areas shall include some of the key priorities listed in France’s National Strategy for AI, as part of the France 2030 plan.

Valerie Pecresse, President of the Regional Council of the Ile-de-France region, said, “Paris region is fast developing into one of the global epicenters for Artificial Intelligence. We are delighted to see this new investment by TCS, which will boost the AI ecosystem we are looking to develop and provide new opportunities to our students and professionals. I look forward to inaugurating this center in June.”

The center will, initially, focus on areas such as brain-computer interface, building empathy in machines, and unleashing the power of AI in arts and culture. The leading position that Paris has as a global hub of culture, arts and design will provide added impetus to this initiative.

Earlier in March this year, TCS had announced the opening of its new PacePort™ in London, a dedicated 9,000 Sq. Ft. innovation hub that aims to drive and accelerate innovation-led growth in the United Kingdom while helping businesses bring innovation to life.

Dr. Harrick Vin, Chief Technology Officer, TCS, said, “The need of the hour is to boost AI skills present in the country, accelerate the adoption of AI in the French economy, and develop global capabilities here that will benefit the rest of the world. Our new AI center in Paris will focus on many of these areas, including the development of talent and leveraging the world-renowned culture that France has for design – reflected in its fashion, luxury sector and museums. We will seek to deepen our partnerships with universities, startups, and research centers in the country, as we operationalize this center in the coming weeks.”

“We are very proud of the growth of our operations in France and the nature of the complex and high-value digital services we provide for our clients. Our new investments in the TCS PacePort™ in Paris and the TCS AI Center of Excellence are demonstrations of our ongoing commitment to building capabilities in the most advanced technologies and bringing them to bear for our clients in the country and across the world. The new center will focus on boosting human-centered AI capabilities for the banking & financial services, manufacturing, and consumer sectors, to start with. We will hire new talent and partner with universities to offer internships and projects, to support the National AI Mission,” said Rammohan Gourneni, Country Head, TCS France.

TCS has continuously ramped up its investments in France, since commencing operations in 1992. With the acquisition of TKS- Teknosoft in 2006, and of Alti in 2013, TCS significantly boosted its presence in the region. It now has 1,600 employees in the country, working for 80 of France’s leading businesses. TCS has established three delivery centers in Lille, Poitiers, and Paris and will soon set up a new facility in Toulouse. It recently modernized its corporate headquarters in La Défense, invested in creating a new PacePort™ and has recruited 500+ people over the past three years.

LTIMindtree and IBM Collaborate on watsonx CoE for Generative AI

LTIMindtree and IBM have joined forces to establish a Generative AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in India. This collaborative initiative combines the power of IBM's watsonx AI and data platform with the engineering skills of LTIMindtree, a global technology consulting and digital solutions company.

The CoE aims to drive open innovation and accelerate the adoption of generative AI solutions by organizations. The joint Generative AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in India, a co-innovation center combining the power of the IBM watsonx AI and data platform and the engineering skills of LTIMindtree.

LTIMindtree brings its expertise in data and machine learning model customization, along with full-stack engineering capabilities. The CoE leverages IBM's watsonx technology suite, including watsonx.ai, watsonx.data, and watsonx.governance, as well as AI assistants.

The center, located in India, will focus on building point solutions that help clients adopt generative AI more effectively.

Benefits to Clients

LTIMindtree offers watsonx.governance integration with the Canvas.AI platform. This collaborative toolkit enables organizations to strategically incorporate AI governance frameworks throughout the entire AI lifecycle, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and responsible AI practices.

The CoE provides an enterprise data modernization and warehouse augmentation service powered by watsonx.data. This service enhances existing data warehouse capabilities using IBM's technology and LTIMindtree's tailored solutions.

This collaboration represents a significant step toward advancing AI technologies and empowering businesses to achieve success with robust governance. By funneling the latest AI research andsolutions innovations into real-world , LTIMindtree and IBM are poised to make a meaningful impact in the field of generative AI.