NASSCOM delegation visits I-X to explore AI innovations

A delegation from India’s NASSCOM companies visited the White City Deep Tech Campus to learn about Imperial’s research on artificial intelligence.

Hosted by I-X and co-organised with the Department for Business and Trade and the British High Commission in New Delhi, the visit offered senior leaders from NASSCOM a firsthand look at I-X research on artificial intelligence and the role of the White City Deep Tech Campus in driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the area.

NASSCOM, India’s non-governmental trade association, represents the country’s $254 billion technology industry. With over 3000 member companies, its aim is to make India the global hub for innovation and IT services. The delegation visiting Imperial included senior representatives from more than ten leading technology companies in India, such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Coforge, WNS, GENPACT, Firstsource, Mastek, LTI Mindtree, OYO, and Mphasis.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Innovations

"The School of Convergence Science and I-X initiatives are very much aligned with the NASSCOM’s vision of the importance of interdisciplinary research and training to power technological innovation at scale. The meeting uncovered great synergistic opportunities for collaboration on AI-driven innovations in the IT services." Professor Alessandra Russo

During the visit, delegates gained insights into I-X’s interdisciplinary environment and its mission to accelerate research in foundational and applied artificial intelligence for societal benefit. They also learned about I-X’s approach to fostering scientific innovation through co-location and its integration within the broader White City ecosystem and London West Tech Corridor.

The delegation also had the opportunity to engage with Imperial’s new Schools of Convergence Science. Professor Alessandra Russo, Head of the Department of Computing and Co-Director of the Human and Artificial Intelligence School of Convergence Science, shared the vision behind the Schools and highlighted how they will tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges, from AI development to sustainability and climate change, driving the university’s strategy of bringing Science for Humanity.

Fostering International Collaborations: Research and Industry

Beyond AI research, the NASSCOM delegation learnt about existing collaborations with Indian research partners, including the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, and The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) Bangalore, as well as the recently launched AI in Science Global Faculty Fellowship programme, supported by Schmidt Sciences and delivered by I-X Centre for AI in Science.

In addition to learning about Imperial’s extensive industry partnership programmes and initiatives run by the Enterprise Division—including the Centre for Innovation in Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, established in collaboration with Tata Steel—the visit provided a platform to discuss potential academic and industrial collaborations, with a shared focus on leveraging AI to drive global innovation. It also offered networking opportunities with Imperial spin-outs and White City’s start-ups and scale-ups. Delegates heard from AI companies, including:

• Air Aware Labs: Harnesses advanced, high-resolution air quality modelling—both in real-time and at a granular spatial level—to help individuals and businesses measure and reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
• ILASP: Builds logic-based machine learning systems that learn highly expressive rules that can be translated into plain English.
• Safe Intelligence: Develops cloud-based solutions to realise safe AI applications.
• sAInaptic: Uses AI to deliver an interactive, instant, and personalised learning experience.
• upLYFT: Utilises the latest advancements in smart textile and AI to create wearable technology able to predict and manage mobility issues.

Commenting on the importance of the meeting, Professor Alessandra Russo, Head of Department of Computing and Co-Director (Convener) for Human and Artificial Intelligence School of Convergence Science, said: “It was a very productive and inspiring meeting. The School of Convergence Science and I-X initiatives are very much aligned with the NASSCOM’s vision of the importance of interdisciplinary research and training to power technological innovation at scale. The meeting uncovered great synergistic opportunities for collaboration on AI-driven innovations in the IT services. The School of Convergence Science in Human and Artificial Intelligence and I-X will, together, provide an ideal open channel for establishing such collaborations and we look forward to the great opportunities to come”.