The IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has launched the Centre for Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence (CHAI), a new initiative aimed at leveraging AI to enhance human potential. This centre represents a significant opportunity for India as it focuses on advancing technology, fostering entrepreneurship, developing human resources, and fostering international collaborations.

Safety remains a key concern for policymakers and regulators as AI technologies continue to evolve. CHAI’s role will be pivotal in identifying potential risks to inform future regulations, ensuring that India’s AI development is both safe and responsible while maximizing innovation.

IIT Madras Pravartak, which oversees the centre, is already engaged in important national projects, collaborating with entities such as the Supreme Court of India, the Indian Parliament (via Sansad TV), and the Indian Army.

The centre was officially launched on November 14, 2024, at the IIT Madras Research Park, with notable figures including Lt. Gen. KS Brar, AVSM, GoC Dakshin Bharat, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, Dr. M.J. Shankar Raman, CEO of IIT-M Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and Prof. Gaurav Raina, Chief Scientist at CHAI, in attendance.

Prof. Kamakoti emphasized that human-centric AI systems are key to user adoption, with the centre focusing on making AI systems explainable and responsible. Lt. Gen. Brar highlighted the centre’s mission to empower AI in ways that enhance lives and contribute to a better future for all.

CHAI will collaborate with government agencies, industries, start-ups, and academic researchers to develop solutions that enhance human potential in India and, potentially, globally. Its focus spans three key dimensions: human potential, citizen protection, and the amplification of societal values through culture and heritage.

Prof. Gaurav Raina elaborated on the centre’s alignment with Industry 5.0 principles, emphasizing human-centricity and sustainability. The centre will prioritize translational research, producing AI models, data sets, tools, and applications addressing key issues such as language models (particularly for Indian languages), responsible AI, and safety.

Capacity building will also be a focus, offering internships and research opportunities for students across India, enabling them to engage in cutting-edge AI projects. The centre’s initiatives will span various sectors, including education, healthcare, finance, transportation, cybersecurity, and cultural heritage preservation.

IIT-M Pravartak Technologies, a Section 8 company, houses the Technology Innovation Hub, funded by the Department of Science and Technology under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. The Centre for Human-Centric AI is poised to contribute significantly to India’s AI development while ensuring safety, ethical responsibility, and societal impact.