Ahmedabad's Educational Hub Embraces AI Revolution
Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar are rapidly emerging as major centers for artificial intelligence education in India, with premier institutions launching numerous specialized programs. According to experts, these twin cities will offer more than 1,000 seats in full-term and short-term AI-related courses by the start of the next academic year, marking a significant expansion in the country's AI education landscape.
Leading Institutes Announce Specialized AI Programs
IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) has introduced three residential short-term courses focusing on cutting-edge AI domains, including agentic AI and AI-powered software engineering. Agentic AI represents the next evolution beyond prompt-based systems, enabling autonomous decision-making capabilities. The institute will welcome its first batch of MTech (AI) students in 2026 with an initial intake of 20 students.
Professor Rajat Moona, Director of IIT-Gn, emphasized that "AI will be changing the way the world carries out business, and all aspects of life will be touched by it. The future engineers need to be AI-aware, AI-tech implementors, and users of these technologies."
The computer science department head, Professor Shanmuganathan Raman, detailed that the AI program includes comprehensive modules covering natural language processing, computer vision, human-computer interaction, and theoretical machine learning. All students must complete core courses in machine learning, deep learning, and the crucial ethics of AI.
Business Education Integrates AI Across Disciplines
IIM Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has launched a blended MBA program in Business Analytics and AI, responding directly to industry demands for professionals who can leverage artificial intelligence in business contexts. Professor Anindya Chakrabarti, chairperson of the program, described it as "the need of the hour when more and more businesses are blending the power of AI for analytics."
The premier business school is also offering multiple AI-focused electives including AI, Business and Society; AI and ML in Financial Services; GenAI and Marketing; and Managerial Machine Learning with Python for its PGP and PGPX courses. IIM-A Director Professor Bharat Bhasker confirmed that the program launch directly addresses the rapid transformation driven by AI technologies.
Expanding AI Education Across Multiple Institutions
Dhirubhai Ambani University (DAU) is preparing to launch three new AI-focused programs starting academic year 2026-27: BTech in Computer Science & AI, BTech in Electronics & AI, and an integrated MSc in Data Science and AI with a combined capacity of 300 seats.
According to DAU Registrar Siddharth Swaminarayan, these programs represent the institution's commitment to AI education. Professor Bhaskar Chaudhury, Dean of Academic Programmes at DAU, added that students across undergraduate and postgraduate programs will have access to AI-focused electives covering machine learning, deep learning, quantum machine learning, and natural language processing.
MICA has taken a unique approach by introducing courses in Generative AI, prompt engineering, agentic AI, and branding across sectors in the AI world (BASAI). Jaya Deshmukh, Director and CEO of MICA, highlighted the importance of viewing AI through the "lens of 5Cs: creativity, culture, communication, commerce, and community."
Professor Santosh Kumar Patra from MICA stressed that "students should be taught to be thoughtful architects of AI integration instead of being passive adopters. They must understand how algorithms influence cultural narratives, how automation reshapes commerce, how AI mediates communication, and ultimately, how these technologies serve community needs."
Broader Educational Ecosystem Embraces AI
Nirma University has launched a BTech program in Computer Science with specialization in AI-ML for the 2024-25 academic year with 60 seats, and will introduce an MTech in Electronics and Instrumentation with specialization in Robotics and AI next year with 18 seats.
Dr. Himanshu Soni, Director of the School of Technology at Nirma University, observed that "the demand is increasing from students and industry primarily due to the need for skilled professionals. AI-ML is reshaping every major industry and academia has to keep up."
Even non-technical institutions like Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) have incorporated AI into their curriculum through electives such as 'New-Age Technologies and Law.' Professor Girish R, head of academic affairs at GNLU, explained that students receive training in understanding regulatory frameworks around AI, legal status of AI including accountability, ownership of AI-generated work, and evolving interactions between AI, IP, and innovation.
The educational shift represents a significant transformation from initial concerns about AI-generated assignments to full integration of artificial intelligence across academic disciplines. Experts note that rapid advancements in complementary technologies like quantum computing, chip manufacturing, biotechnology, and human-computer interfaces have further accelerated the adoption of AI education.
