India's largest AI skilling and research initiative, backed by the UK government, recommended by AICTE, and built for every engineering institution in the country.
We began with a question — what would it take to make world-class AI education available to every engineering institution in India, not just the top ones? What followed changed the landscape.
Where it all began
The Royal Academy of Engineering, UK, approved our nationwide initiative on AI and Deep Learning Skilling and Research under the Newton Bhabha Fund — a programme that connects the best of British and Indian science. University College London and Brunel University London joined as academic collaborators, while NVIDIA, AWS Educate, Videoken and Edvantics came on board as industry partners. When AICTE reviewed the initiative, it saw enough merit to recommend it to all 10,000 of its approved institutions across the country.
Approved by the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK under the Newton Bhabha Fund — bringing world-class AI research and skilling to India.
The problem we set out to solve
India has millions of talented students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 institutions who have the aptitude to work in AI, but their faculty are stretched, curricula have not kept pace with industry, and meaningful research opportunities remain scarce. At the same time, companies across the world are struggling to find trained AI professionals. The gap between what institutions produce and what industry needs is large and growing.
AICTE recognised our potential and recommended the initiative to all 10,000 of its approved institutions across India — the largest such endorsement in AI skilling in the country.
What has been built since launch
Since we began, 939 institutions have partnered with us. Over 138,000 learners have been certified. We have conducted 253 workshops across the country, facilitated 1,467 internships, supported hundreds of student projects, and built relationships with major industry partners including NVIDIA, Microsoft, AWS, L&T and GAIL. Students who came through our programmes have gone on to work at Google, Meta, Microsoft and many other leading companies.
Students trained through LeadingIndia.AI have gone on to work at Google, Meta, Microsoft and dozens of other leading companies. Research groups set up through our initiative have published in IEEE and other international journals.
Our goals, outcomes and what it means for you
Everything we do is built around three commitments — making world-class AI skills accessible, helping institutions build genuine research capability, and connecting faculty and students with real industry problems. Here is what that looks like in practice.
For your institution
- Take a leadership position in AI research in your region
- Build a research group that can grow into a recognised centre
- Access funding opportunities and support quality publications
- Connect your students to live industry projects and placements
- Strengthen your NBA and NAAC documentation through active collaboration
- Be part of a national network of institutions that learn from each other
For your faculty and students
- Hands-on AI skills that employers are actively looking for
- Exposure to a global research community through our UK partners
- Support to publish in reputed journals and file patents
- Real industry projects — not just case studies
- A clear pathway into high-demand, niche AI careers
- Mentorship from practitioners who have built actual AI products
The UK and industry collaborators
This initiative is not built on goodwill alone. Our UK university partners bring internationally benchmarked research expertise. Our industry partners keep the curriculum honest, contribute live projects, and open doors for students into real careers. It is a genuine two-way relationship on both sides.
- University College London and Brunel University shape our curriculum to international research standards
- Their faculty mentor our lead institutions and guide research group development
- Faculty from our network may get the opportunity to visit UK partners for deeper academic exchange
- Keep workshop content current and technically relevant as the field moves fast
- Bring live student projects from real industry problems
- Connect institutions to internship and hiring pipelines in AI-scarce roles
- Contribute speakers and mentors from the frontlines of AI development
Ready to transform your institution?
Join 939 institutions already part of the network and bring world-class AI education to your campus.
