New Delhi, Jan 30: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has lauded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and philanthropists Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon for the establishment of the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence, officials said on Friday.

Calling it a “visionary initiative” that strengthens India’s journey towards becoming a global AI superpower, Pradhan said the new School would play a pivotal role in democratising access to artificial intelligence and harnessing its potential for social good.

The MoU was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Minister Pradhan, while Ambassador Vinay Kwatra joined the event virtually from the United States. The School will be set up through a Rs100 crore endowment by CK Tandon, an alumna of IIMA’s PGP Class of 1975, and her husband Ranjan Tandon.

Speaking at the ceremony, Pradhan emphasised that India’s AI leadership will be shaped not only by technological advances but also by the strength of its institutions and human capital. He described artificial intelligence as an enabler for “people, progress and planet,” and appreciated the philanthropic gesture of the Tandon family, noting that it reinforces the tradition of alumni giving back to their alma mater.

The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence is envisioned as a pioneering institution within a management school, operating at the intersection of technology, management and public impact. With a strong global orientation, it will focus on applying AI responsibly to address India’s large-scale challenges.

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Anchored in IIMA’s legacy of leadership and institution-building, the School aims to influence how AI is developed, deployed and governed to create long-term business and societal value. It will serve as a hub for translational AI, bringing together faculty, industry leaders, policymakers and global partners to translate cutting-edge research into scalable solutions for industry, government and society.

Senior officials including Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIMA, and Joint Secretary (Higher Education) Shri Purnendu Banerjee were present on the occasion.