IIM Ahmedabad to Launch Dedicated AI School with Rs 100 Crore Philanthropic Endowment
In a landmark development for management education in India, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) is set to establish the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on its campus. This ambitious initiative is being made possible through a generous endowment of Rs 100 crore provided by philanthropist and Grammy Award-winning musician Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon, an alumna of IIM Ahmedabad's PGP Class of 1975, along with Ranjan Tandon.
MoU Signed in Presence of Union Education Minister
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the school was formally exchanged in a ceremony attended by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, and Ambassador Vinay Kwatra, who participated virtually from the USA. The signing event marks a significant step in enhancing India's capabilities in artificial intelligence education and research.
During the ceremony, Minister Pradhan expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that it aligns with the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026. He emphasized that artificial intelligence will serve as a crucial enabler for empowering people, driving progress, and protecting the planet. The Minister further highlighted that India's leadership in AI will be shaped not only by technological advancements but also by the strength of its institutions and human capital.
Focus on India's Unique Challenges and Global Impact
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence is designed to operate at the intersection of technology, management, and public impact. According to an official statement from IIM Ahmedabad, the school will have a strong global outlook while specifically focusing on addressing India's unique and complex challenges through the responsible and effective application of AI technologies.
Key objectives of the new school include:
- Shaping how artificial intelligence is developed, deployed, and governed
- Creating enduring business and societal value through AI innovations
- Serving as a natural extension of IIM-A's mission to advance management education in an AI-driven world
Hub for Business-Focused and Translational AI
Envisioned as a hub for business-focused and translational AI, the school aims to bring together world-class faculty, industry leaders, policymakers, and global partners to redefine the frontiers of AI research and application. The institute has stated that the school's research agenda will be application-led and case-based, emphasizing practical implementation over theoretical exploration.
The school will concentrate on translating cutting-edge AI research into:
- Deployable solutions for real-world problems
- Tools and frameworks for enhanced decision-making
- Scalable systems that improve productivity across various sectors
These initiatives are expected to address complex challenges across industry, government, and society, making the school a pioneering institution within a management education framework in India.
The establishment of the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence represents a significant investment in India's future technological leadership and educational excellence, positioning IIM Ahmedabad at the forefront of AI integration in management studies.
