IIT Bhubaneswar establishes Research Centre dedicated to AI and High-Performance Computing.

Bhubaneswar: IIT Bhubaneswar has set up the AI and HPC Research Center (AHRC) with the aim of conducting interdisciplinary and collaborative research dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC). Functioning as a National Research Center, AHRC encourages collaboration among prestigious academic, industry, and government research entities in India and abroad to address real-world challenges through the application of AI and HPC.

AHRC endeavors to create a collaborative environment where experts from diverse disciplines and institutions contribute to a shared resource and knowledge pool, keeping pace with the rapidly evolving field. Researchers spanning engineering, computer science, medicine, agriculture, basic sciences, finance, economics, and more collaborate to devise integrated solutions for industry and societal challenges. The primary focus areas for AHRC’s research and innovation include the application of AI and HPC in critical areas like medicine, agriculture, environment, sustainable communities, smart cities, and cyber security.

Heading the AHRC Board is Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, while Prof. Ashwini Kumar Nanda serves as the founding Center-Director. The Associate Center-Directors are Prof. Subhranshu Ranjan Samantaray and Professor Manoranjan Satpathy.

Expressing the significance of this initiative, Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar remarked, “This unique national research center hosted by IIT Bhubaneswar will offer a global platform for researchers from the state and across India to engage in cutting-edge research and innovation in AI and high-performance computing, addressing the current needs.”

Center-Director Prof. Ashwini Nanda emphasized AHRC’s goal of leveraging global expertise to benefit the Indian populace and contribute to global technological advancements through world-class research. AHRC has established collaborations with over a dozen US universities and industrial laboratories, and is working closely with national institutions such as AIIMS, other IITs, and universities in Odisha, as well as the Odisha state government. For instance, AHRC scientists are collaborating with AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the State University of New York to develop AI tools for diagnosing diseases and conducting rapid screenings for life-threatening conditions in rural communities in Odisha.