Pan IIT Alumni India (PIAI), the umbrella body representing more than 500,000 IIT alumni worldwide, has launched its artificial intelligence-focused think tank, Pan IIT AI Niti (Pariniti), at an event held at Bombay Gymkhana in Mumbai.

The initiative aims to contribute to India’s AI policy and ecosystem development by bringing together expertise from across the AI value chain, including semiconductors, energy, cloud infrastructure, data centres, algorithms, governance and applications.

Addressing the gathering, Prabhat Kumar, Chairman of Pan IIT Alumni India, said the think tank would serve as a platform to strengthen India’s role in artificial intelligence through collaboration among IIT alumni, industry leaders, researchers and policymakers.

Pariniti will be chaired by the Chairman of Pan IIT Alumni India and supported by subject matter experts from the IIT alumni network. The organisation plans to establish five to six specialised verticals focusing on different segments of the AI ecosystem.

According to PIAI, around 50 to 60 professionals, including CEOs, CXOs, startup founders, venture capital investors, senior government officials and academics, will be inducted as members following a selection process.

Management advisory firm Praxis Global Alliance has been appointed as the think tank’s knowledge partner. The firm will support research, data analysis and the preparation of policy papers, white papers and opinion pieces. Pan IIT Alumni India said all intellectual property generated through the initiative will remain with the organisation.

The think tank will hold regular online meetings, with discussions being documented and converted into policy recommendations for government bodies, industry stakeholders and the wider public.

Kumar said the initiative would build on Pan IIT’s role in connecting talent, policy and implementation by providing policymakers with expert insights and industry perspectives.

The launch event was attended by IIT alumni, business leaders and representatives from the startup and investment sectors.

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