IIT-Madras to establish applied AI innovation centre in Dubai
Chennai (PTI): IIT-Madras’s Global Research Foundation will establish its "first Applied AI Innovation Centre" at Dubai CommerCity to boost technology-led economic growth, officials said on Wednesday.
In its initial phase, the centre will host six applied AI startups with a combined valuation of around USD 118 million and projected revenues of USD 281 million over the next five years, according to a press release.
The initiative is being facilitated by MCA Gulf, a strategic partner of IITM Global in Dubai, the release added.
The centre aims to position Dubai as a regional and global hub for applied AI innovation, enabling solutions to be developed, deployed, and scaled through a long-term platform focused on sustainable innovation and value creation.
Prof Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean of Global Engagement at IIT-Madras, said the launch marks a pivotal step in globalising the institute’s research.
“The initiative bridges academic breakthroughs with industrial scale to drive human-centric AI while establishing a strategic corridor for AI solutions anchored in safety and governance,” he added.
Amna Lootah, Director-General of Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Airport Freezone, said the MoU marks a strategic milestone in advancing the free zone’s role in digital trade.
She noted that the initiative strengthens the India-UAE technology corridor under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Thirumalai Madhavnarayan, CEO of IITM Global, said the agreement operationalises the technology corridor and establishes a high-velocity ecosystem in Dubai that accelerates market access for startups.
The IITM Global Research Foundation (also referred to as IITM Global) is a strategic initiative launched by the IIT-Madras on January 2, by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Dubai CommerCity is a leading free zone dedicated to digital commerce in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
The Memorandum of Understanding for the centre was signed on the sidelines of WORLDEF Dubai 2026, held from February 12 to 14, and inaugurated by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
