IIT Madras Launches AI Research Centre in Collaboration with Ziroh Labs
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has partnered with California-based deeptech startup Ziroh Labs to launch the Centre of AI Research (COAIR). This new initiative aims to develop practical, efficient AI solutions tailored for CPUs and edge devices, making advanced AI more accessible across India.
As part of the collaboration, Ziroh Labs unveiled its first version of “Kompact AI” a platform that builds and runs foundational AI models on CPUs instead of expensive GPUs. Kompact AI, developed by Indian researchers and engineers, has already optimized 17 models, including DeepSeek, Qwen, and Llama, all successfully tested at IIT Madras.
Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the project as a step towards closing the AI divide, stating that nature-inspired, domain-specific models on conventional machines can bring AI closer to underserved communities.
Madhusudhanan B, Principal Consultant at IITM Pravartak, emphasized the platform’s potential to reduce infrastructure costs and drive real-world impact in rural India.
Kompact AI supports global data privacy norms and enables developers to build and deploy AI models on widely available CPU infrastructure, promoting responsible and inclusive AI innovation.
