IIT Madras Global to set up its first applied AI innovation centre at Dubai Commercity

IIT Madras Global Research Foundation will launch its first Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre in Dubai CommerCity to speed up real-life AI innovation and enhance the collaboration between India and the UAE in the field of technology. The centre will commence its operations with a list of six applied AI startups.

Combined, these projects are estimated to be worth approximately USD 118 million and are expected to bring in revenues of nearly USD 281 million in the next five years.

The centre is scheduled to be established with the assistance of MCA Gulf, which is the strategic partner of IITM Global in Dubai, to assist the company in transforming innovative AI research into real-life solutions that can be implemented in the market.

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According to the IIT madras press release, "It will focus on advancing local product development, accelerating solution deployment, fostering intellectual property creation and strengthening collaboration with government entities, industry stakeholders and innovation ecosystem partners."

This contract was signed in WORLDEF Dubai 2026, a prime regional conference on digital commerce.

IIT Madras AI centre in Dubai

President of the UAE National Olympic Committee Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the event. Amna Lootah, Director-General of Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Airport Freezone, claimed that the collaboration “reinforced the role of Dubai to be a digital trade and advanced technologies hub”.

She added that the first AI Innovation Centre of the IITM Global is associated with the overall vision of the emirate as the development of innovation-driven growth and high-value economic activity.

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Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, dean (Global Engagement), IIT Madras, termed the venture as a significant move to expand the research potential of the institute to a global level. He said the centre aims to bridge academic breakthroughs with industry-sized deployment as well as foster human-centric and responsible AI development.