Coforge inaugurates Data & AI Lab in IIT (BHU), Varanasi to harness AI for large scale social impact

Greater Noida, October 28, 2025: Coforge Limited (NSE: COFORGE), a leading global IT solutions and services organization, has inaugurated the Coforge Data & AI Lab at IIT (BHU), Varanasi. Established under a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Coforge and IIT (BHU), Varanasi this initiative marks a significant milestone in Coforge’s CSR commitment to building a sustainable, future-focused model of industry-academic collaboration in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

Located in the I-DAPT building on the iconic IIT (BHU), Varanasi campus, the 980 sq. ft. lab is designed to foster innovation and experiential learning. It features 32 high-end Apple desktops, Azure cloud access, a video conferencing facility, and curated learning modules via Percipio. Students and researchers at IIT (BHU), Varanasi will now have access to a live, enterprise-grade environment to explore real-world AI and data science applications, supported by structured learning and mentorship from Coforge’s Data and AI experts.

The lab’s vision is to create an inclusive, innovation-led ecosystem that empowers students to apply knowledge to solve real-world challenges. To begin with, the lab will support four research projects addressing critical societal needs:

• AI-assisted vulnerability detection to strengthen cybersecurity
• AI-powered assistive reading system for the visually impaired
• IoT and AI-based soil health monitoring system for sustainable agriculture
• Cognitive research initiative to enhance mathematical abilities of schoolchildren in Varanasi through brainwave-based interventions

The Coforge Data & AI Lab aims to serve as a living collaboration model where academic rigor meets industry expertise—bridging the gap between theory and enterprise-grade application. It will also contribute to research publications, open-source development, and skill-building certifications in emerging technologies such as cloud computing and machine learning.

The Coforge Data & AI Lab at IIT (BHU), Varanasi was conceptualized by Coforge, to build a future-ready, inclusive, and innovation-driven ecosystem for AI and Data Research in India. IIT (BHU), Varanasi, with its rich academic legacy and excellence, emerged as the ideal partner for this transformative initiative. Sharing his vision, Sudhir Singh, CEO & Executive Director of Coforge remarked:

AI is a game-changing technology, and our goal is to empower students from diverse disciplines with hands-on experience in applying AI to solve real-world challenges. We are thrilled that IIT-BHU students and researchers will leverage AI to address large-scale social issues impacting their city and country.”

Speaking on the launch on Oct 23, Prof. Amit Patra, Director, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi said:

"Artificial Intelligence is the driving force of the future and a boundless source of knowledge for generations to come. It represents the next great revolution in the industrialization of both developed and developing nations. Technical institutions must take the lead in rapidly advancing AI education among the younger generation to fuel this transformation and pave the way for India to emerge as a fully developed nation."

Beth Boucher, Non-Executive Director and Independent Director, and Chairperson of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Coforge, said:

We believe, AI will elevate human potential when guided by the right learning frameworks and responsible principles. The Coforge Data & AI Lab is designed to create new, high-value roles in applied AI, data engineering, and intelligent automation, particularly in a country like India where scaling digital talent is both an opportunity and an obligation. By combining AI innovation with human learning and ethical transparency, the Coforge Data & AI Lab will be shaping a future where AI not only drives business value but also creates meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable employment opportunities for India and the world.”

Anuradha Sehgal, Chief Brand & Sustainability Officer at Coforge, said:

The launch of the Coforge Data & AI Lab at IIT-BHU is a proud moment for us. It brings our vision of socially responsible innovation to life—where the next generation of technologists is trained not just in tools and theories, but in purpose-driven problem solving. In this lab, ideas will transform into impact, and talent will meet opportunity.”

This initiative sets a new benchmark for CSR-led, research-driven partnerships, fueling long-term, inclusive technological growth.

About Coforge

Coforge is a global digital services and solutions provider, that leverages emerging technologies and deep domain expertise to deliver real-world business impact for its clients. A focus on select industries, a deep domain understanding of the underlying processes of those industries and partnerships with leading technology platforms, enables Coforge to be a trusted partner of its clients in their transformation initiatives. Coforge leads with its Product Engineering approach and leverages AI, Cloud, Data, Integration and Automation technologies to transform businesses into intelligent, high growth enterprises. Coforge has 33 global delivery centers and is present in 25 countries.