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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Umpire dies, 15-20 players injured in bee attack during cricket match in Unnao
Unnao/Kanpur (UP) (PTI): A 65-year-old umpire died while several players were injured after a swarm of bees attacked them during a cricket match in Unnao district, police said on Thursday.
A top office-bearer of the Kanpur Cricket Association, which organised the game, confirmed the incident that took place at Sapru Maidan in the Shuklaganj area on Wednesday evening.
According to police officials, Manik Gupta from Kanpur was officiating as the umpire of the cricket match when a swarm of bees suddenly attacked the players and officials present on the ground, triggering panic. Players and spectators ran for cover to save themselves.
Eyewitnesses said Gupta sustained serious injuries in the attack and fell unconscious. He was initially taken to a private hospital in Shuklaganj and later referred to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur as his condition deteriorated. Doctors at this hospital declared him dead.
Another umpire and around 15 to 20 players also suffered bee stings, police said.
In an official confirmation of the incident, S N Singh, president of the Kanpur Cricket Association, told PTI that umpire Manik Gupta died after being attacked by a swarm of bees during a cricket match in Unnao.
When Gupta was being rushed to the hospital, bees were still clinging to his face and body, Singh said, underscoring the intensity of the attack.
He conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the association, stating that it stands firmly with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
