Plaksha University Leads India’s AI Innovation Drive

In an increasingly AI-driven world, technology universities have a role that extends far beyond teaching emerging technologies. They are becoming important ecosystems for developing new ideas, conducting advanced research, nurturing talent and exploring how technology can be responsibly applied to real-world challenges.

Plaksha University is positioning itself at this intersection of deep-tech research, interdisciplinary innovation and hands-on education. Its work spans artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, machine learning and STEM education, while its programmes bring together academia, industry and policymakers.

From conversations about India’s AI infrastructure and global competitiveness to practical programmes that teach students how to build AI systems, Plaksha is working to strengthen the country’s technology ecosystem.

Dr. Shankar Sastry Highlights AI’s Next Major Challenge

Plaksha University’s founding Chancellor, Dr. Shankar Sastry, brings extensive experience from some of the world’s leading technology and academic institutions. Before joining Plaksha, he served as Dean of Engineering at UC Berkeley, led the Information Technology Office at DARPA and held academic positions at institutions including MIT and Harvard.

At Plaksha University’s second convocation, Dr. Sastry discussed the direction of artificial intelligence and the challenges that could define the technology’s next phase.

One of the areas highlighted was Physical AI, where artificial intelligence moves beyond software and interacts with the physical world.

Plaksha’s EMBER, its Embodied Intelligence and Robotics lab, is working on applications including humanoid robots capable of assembling other robots, supporting search-and-rescue activities and performing complex physical tasks.

According to Dr. Sastry, the development of physical AI will also create demand for new generations of lean and power-efficient processors designed to operate at the edge.

He also highlighted the implications of scaling AI models. Referencing Richard Sutton’s Bitter Lesson, he pointed to the growing importance of data and computing power while warning that continuously scaling models could create significant economic and technological challenges.

AI safety and alignment between competing AI agents, he suggested, could become among the defining problems of the decade.

The broader message to graduates was clear: technological progress should ultimately contribute to a better society.

Plaksha Brings AI Industry Leaders Together to Discuss India’s AI Future

India has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s major adopters of artificial intelligence. The next challenge is to build the research capabilities, infrastructure, talent and companies required to become a global AI leader.

This question formed the foundation of Building India’s AI Engine, a panel discussion hosted by Plaksha University ahead of its second convocation.

The discussion brought together leaders from technology, research, business and academia, including Vivek Raghavan, Co-founder of Sarvam AI; Sriram Rajamani, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Research; Maneesh Singh, Vice President of Machine Learning at BharatGen; Hitesh Oberoi, Co-promoter, MD and CEO of Info Edge; Neeraj Aggarwal, Vice Chair – Asia Pacific at Boston Consulting Group; and Dr. Shankar Sastry.

The conversation covered several critical aspects of India’s AI journey, including foundational models, AI infrastructure, talent development and the creation of a sustainable research ecosystem.

Rather than viewing AI purely as a technology challenge, the discussion reflected the need for collaboration across sectors.

For India to move from being a major AI consumer and adopter to becoming a global AI innovation hub, the country will need stronger connections between universities, businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers.

ConfBioTech 2026 Focuses on India’s Biotechnology Ambitions

Artificial intelligence is only one part of India’s emerging technology landscape. Biotechnology represents another major opportunity, particularly as India works toward its ambition of building a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.

Plaksha University hosted ConfBioTech 2026, an annual leadership forum focused on biotechnology and the bioeconomy.

The event brought together prominent figures from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, consulting, academia and research, including D. S. Brar, Chairman of Aragen Life Sciences and former CEO of Ranbaxy; Manish Gupta of Indegene; Priyanka Aggarwal, Managing Director & Senior Partner at BCG; Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director & CEO of C-CAMP; and Prof. Sanjeev Galande, Dean of Shiv Nadar University, along with representatives from BIRAC and the Wadhwani Foundation.

A central theme was the need to strengthen the pathway between scientific research and commercial innovation.

India has a strong base of scientific talent and research capabilities. However, converting discoveries into scalable technologies, intellectual property and globally competitive companies remains a major challenge.

D. S. Brar highlighted the importance of moving beyond a predominantly service-oriented approach and developing technologies and businesses that can compete globally.

Through initiatives such as ConfBioTech, Plaksha is contributing to conversations around the talent, entrepreneurship and innovation infrastructure required for India’s future bioeconomy.

AI Builders Bootcamp Takes AI Learning Beyond Tools

AI education often focuses on how to use existing tools. Plaksha University’s AI Builders Bootcamp took a more practical approach by teaching participants how AI systems themselves are designed and built.

The programme brought together more than 50 final-year engineering students, recent graduates and young professionals from institutions including IIT Roorkee, IIT Mandi, IISER Mohali, Netaji Subhas University of Technology and Delhi Technological University.

The two-day programme moved participants from AI fundamentals toward developing a working intelligent system.

The first day covered generative AI, large language models, advanced prompting, context management and the design of LLM-powered assistants.

The second day introduced participants to Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and agent-based systems. Participants learned how external knowledge sources can be connected to language models and how AI agents can be designed to reason and act.

By the end of the programme, participants had built functional RAG-powered intelligent agents.

The sessions were led by Plaksha faculty and included a keynote from Professor Chris Callison-Burch of the University of Pennsylvania, who discussed the future direction of large language models.

The programme demonstrates a shift from passive AI literacy toward practical AI engineering skills.

SheLeadsTech Encourages More Women to Explore AI and Robotics

Building India’s technology ecosystem also requires expanding access to STEM education and creating opportunities for a more diverse generation of technology leaders.

The DS Brar Center for Girls and Women in STEM at Plaksha University hosted young women from across India for the two-day SheLeadsTech Immersion Programme.

The programme combined leadership development with hands-on exposure to emerging technologies.

The first day focused on personal growth, confidence, career ambitions and leadership. Participants engaged with women technology leaders and reflected on their own strengths, experiences and professional aspirations.

The second day shifted toward technical learning, with sessions covering generative AI, language models and practical robotics.

Research fellows at Plaksha guided participants through technology-focused activities designed to help young women understand emerging fields and see themselves as future innovators.

Such programmes can play an important role in expanding the pipeline of women entering AI, robotics, engineering and other STEM disciplines.

Plaksha University’s Interdisciplinary Approach to India’s Tech Future

The initiatives across AI, robotics, biotechnology and STEM education reflect a broader approach to technology education.

Instead of treating artificial intelligence as an isolated discipline, Plaksha’s programmes connect AI with areas such as robotics, biotechnology, entrepreneurship, policy and social impact.

This interdisciplinary model is increasingly relevant as emerging technologies begin to overlap.

AI is transforming healthcare and biotechnology. Robotics is combining machine learning with physical systems. Generative AI is changing how businesses create and process information. Meanwhile, the development of advanced technology is raising questions about safety, regulation, infrastructure and ethics.

Universities therefore have an opportunity to become more than centres of instruction. They can serve as platforms where researchers, students, businesses and policymakers work together on complex problems.

Building India’s Next Generation of Technology Innovators

India’s technology ambitions will depend not only on the number of engineers and AI users the country produces, but also on its ability to create original research, intellectual property, technology companies and globally relevant innovations.

Plaksha University’s focus on AI research, physical AI, robotics, biotechnology, practical learning and interdisciplinary collaboration represents one approach to addressing that challenge.

From training students to build AI agents to bringing industry leaders together to discuss India’s AI infrastructure, the university is attempting to connect education with the real-world demands of a rapidly changing technology landscape.

As artificial intelligence and deep technologies continue to evolve, institutions that can combine research, talent, experimentation and responsible innovation could become important contributors to India’s next technology chapter.

For Plaksha University, the objective goes beyond preparing students for existing technology jobs. It is about developing the people and ideas capable of building what comes next.