IIT Madras, Google launch AI capacity-building course for government officials

IIT Madras’ Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at the Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (WSAI), in partnership with Google and the Digital Futures Lab (DFL), has launched a new capacity-building programme to train Indian government officials on building, procuring and scaling responsible AI systems.

The programme was announced during the Conclave on Strengthening Human Capital for the AI Era, held at IIT Madras on December 19.

The initiative aims to equip government officials with technical, operational and governance skills required to deploy artificial intelligence effectively in public institutions.

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With AI increasingly influencing sectors such as education, service delivery and digital governance, the programme seeks to address the growing need for AI awareness, literacy and robust decision-making frameworks within government.

IIT Madras, Google: Responsible AI adoption

Highlighting the need for such an initiative in the public sector, Prof. B. Ravindran, Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), IIT Madras, said that as AI systems increasingly influence decision-making, their development and deployment must be rooted in trust and inclusion.

He noted that the conclave aimed to create a shared platform for dialogue on responsible AI use, with a focus on strengthening human capital through AI for education and education about AI.

Speaking on the partnership, Preeti Lobana, Country Manager, Google India, said a thriving digital India must be built on trust, adding that the programme is about empowering professionals across sectors to deploy AI responsibly with safety and fairness at its core.

The curriculum will help officials understand foundational AI technologies, evaluate AI solutions for procurement and scaling, and implement responsible AI practices aligned with India’s policy frameworks.

Risk identification, governance requirements and real-world deployment challenges will also be key focus areas.

Through case studies, workshops and hands-on sessions, participants will assess their departments’ AI readiness and explore pathways to adopt or improve AI-based tools.

The conclave also serves as a pre-summit event to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, aimed at building an AI-ready workforce across governance and education.

Dr Urvashi Aneja, Founder and Director of Digital Futures Lab, said strengthening capacity within government is critical for the effective and responsible use of AI in India and could help position the country as a leader in responsible AI across the Global South.