The future of artificial intelligence | Image: Freepik
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (ITI Madras) has announced the introduction of a new undergraduate programme, BTech in AI and Data Analytics (Course Code – 412L: Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics), which is expected to commence from the academic year 2024-25. This pioneering course, offered by India’s top-ranked NIRF institute, aims to equip students with essential skills and knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics.
Admission to the BTech program will be through the JEE (Advanced) exam, with ongoing guidance from the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) for the 2024 batch.
The program curriculum is designed to provide comprehensive expertise in various facets of AI and data analytics, offering insight into its applications across various sectors. The program will admit 50 students through JEE, focusing on core areas such as mathematical fundamentals, foundations of data science, AI, machine learning, application development and responsible design, with a strong interdisciplinary approach.
Established under the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, supported by an endowment of Rs. 110 Crore from Mr. Sunil Wadhwani, an esteemed alumnus of ITI Madras and co-founder of IGATE and Mastech Digital, the school aims to become a global leader in AI education. He also seeks to advise government agencies and policy makers on policies related to data science and AI.
The program offers significant academic flexibility, allowing students to tailor their learning path across a wide range of electives from within and outside the department. Students can specialize in areas such as speech and language technology, computer vision, control and sensing applications, and time series analysis depending on their interests.
Highlighting the importance of the BTech program, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, ITI Madras, said: “AI spans engineering, science and humanities, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to succeed. The BTech in AI and Data Analytics is uniquely positioned to address these aspects and is the first of its kind in the world. The program is refined based on the knowledge acquired by our faculty over more than a decade, with the aim of training high-level AI professionals, entrepreneurs and researchers capable of tackling important challenges in AI in an evolving market.
The main objective of the program includes practical applications to real-world problems and the promotion of fair and responsible AI practices. This involves using data analytics and AI techniques ethically in various fields, fostering innovation, and ensuring equitable technology deployment.
Professor B. Ravindran, Director, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, highlighted, “AI is poised to be as transformative as computing was thirty years ago, defining technological progress for this generation and beyond. Our flagship undergraduate programme, BTech. in AI and Data Analytics, aims to equip students with strong fundamentals and practical skills essential for research careers and system-oriented AI design.
He added, “The program is meticulously designed to comprehensively cover the fundamentals of AI, application development and system design, making it distinctive in its approach. »
The program integrates core courses in mathematics, statistics and science with advanced modules in machine learning, deep learning and reinforcement learning. Practical learning experiences are integrated through laboratory sessions, workshops and industry projects, ensuring that graduates are well prepared for immediate contributions to industry.
Prof. Arun K. Tangirala, Professor at Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, explained, “Our program is structured into four parts: Foundation in Science covering mathematics, science and statistics; Modeling techniques, including convolutional neural networks and deep networks; Training and deployment of models focused on algorithms and domain applications integrating all concepts. Our strong industry interface ensures ample internship and undergraduate research opportunities, providing students with valuable practical exposure.
The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI’s research themes encompass healthcare, responsible AI, language technology, and the ethical development and deployment of AI for societal impact.
