IIT Guwahati brings global experts together to chart India’s AI future

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) is hosting the MFF (Collaborative for Academic Research Excellence (CARE) Conference, a landmark event that brings together global universities, Indian academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and startups to explore the transformative potential of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) in India. Supported by the Mehta Family Foundation, the two-day conference aims to foster long-term research collaboration while advancing AI awareness and innovation, particularly in the Northeast.

The conference is structured around three core themes: Foundations and Frontiers of Data Science and AI, Generative AI & Emerging Technologies, and AI for Society and Sustainability. Delegates are engaging in intensive discussions on theoretical advancements, emerging technologies such as large language models (LLMs), and the application of AI to public-policy, social, and developmental challenges.

Over 200 delegates are participating, including faculty from MIT, Purdue University, UC San Diego, Penn State University, and the University of Texas at Dallas, alongside researchers from IITs, IISERs, NITs, and other Indian institutions, as well as industry leaders and startups.

Rahul Mehta of the Mehta Family Foundation highlighted the conference’s mission of promoting collaboration. “No single individual can solve a major scientific problem alone — it requires multidisciplinary teamwork,” he said, sharing how attending a conference during his student years inspired him to launch his own company. He added, “AI can be an equalising force. Whether you come from a small village in the Northeast or a metropolitan city, AI can create economic opportunities. India’s strong foundation in mathematics and science gives us a competitive advantage — our goal is to transform that into livelihoods.”

Professor Ratnajit Bhattacharjee, Head of the Department of Data Science and AI at IIT Guwahati, emphasised the importance of bringing global expertise to the North East. “We have speakers from MIT, Purdue, Penn State, and leading Indian institutions such as IITs and IISERs. The conference includes poster sessions, scientific exchanges, and networking opportunities that will foster collaborations and help apply AI & data science for societal benefit,” he said. He also highlighted the Northeast’s growing prominence as an educational and research hub.

IIT Guwahati Director Devendra Jalihal spoke on India’s potential to lead in AI-driven healthcare and diagnostics through collaboration across scientists, engineers, and technologists. He pointed to ongoing efforts across IITs, including IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Indore, and IIT Guwahati — and highlighted a tertiary care research hospital being developed with the Government of Assam, set to be operational by 2027.

Purdue University’s Samuel D. Conte Distinguished Professor Ananth Grama, attending IITG for the second time, praised the quality of students and research talent. He also noted that his sessions will explore crucial AI questions, including why AI models hallucinate, how data quality affects learning, and the role of noise in model performance. “Hallucinations cannot be eliminated entirely. We need to fundamentally rethink how we build AI models,” he said, underlining the importance of solid theoretical foundations.

With a mix of global expertise, regional engagement, and a focus on responsible innovation, the MFF CARE Conference at IIT Guwahati is charting a path toward India’s leadership in AI, one rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and real-world impact.