IIT Madras partners with Scaler School of Technology to give BS data science course an AI boost

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has collaborated with the Scaler School of Technology for artificial intelligence (AI) support to its Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) students. Those enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in data science and applications course at CODE will get to explore AI-powered tools “to support scalable, personalised learning experiences”.

A successful pilot programme was conducted with 500 students earlier this year, an official statement by IIT Madras said. The key objectives observed were:

• Over 600 AI interviews attended by 127 students in 2.5 months
• A 44% increase in coding efficiency among students, with 24/7 problem-solving support
• Each student used 63 flashcards on an average, showing strong engagement
• Gamified practice revision was used 107 times

Following the success, IIT Madras has decided to opt for a long-term partnership with Scaler School of Technology. An MoU was signed on June 2, 2025, and is valid till one year from the date of signing. The AI tools will be attributed to Scaler School of Technology, along with the students who contributed towards them. The data privacy rights of the students will remain with IIT Madras.

The BS in data science and applications programme offered by CODE is a four-year undergraduate degree which offers education in IT, AI and technological skills. The CODE model enables students from diverse backgrounds to enroll and upskill.

IIT Madras AI education

Andrew Thangaraj, chair of CODE, said, “Our mission is to make quality education accessible. Technology, when applied thoughtfully, can play a crucial role in making that happen. The AI tools being deployed are designed to supplement our existing academic framework and help learners gain confidence, receive faster feedback, and practice skills independently.”

Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler, said: “We’re honoured to support IIT Madras in its vision for tech-enabled learning. Our work at SST focuses on solving real-world classroom problems through AI-led systems, built in collaboration between students and practitioners. This collaboration allows those innovations to benefit thousands of learners across India.”