SAP Labs India signs MoU with IIIT-B to upskill AI talent

SAP Labs India, a subsidiary of German software corporation, SAP, on Tuesday, said, it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIIT-B) to improve technology skilling, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) and other niche technology areas.  

Notably, IIIT-B has developed a strong partnership with SAP over the years through various programs. Together, the entities will further advance employees' competencies in AI/ML through executive programs. They have successfully hosted two AI/ML cohorts and are preparing to begin a third cohort this year. 
 
“At SAP Labs India, we believe in leveraging the power of the ecosystem. Our strategic partnership with IIIT-B not only reflects SAP's commitment to fostering cutting-edge research but also highlights our dedication to nurturing talent and improving the skills of our workforce,” Sindhu Gangadharan, Senior VP and MD of SAP Labs India, said in a statement. 

She added that, with IIIT-B, the IT firm is pushing the boundaries of research and innovation while nurturing the next generation of digital leaders. “Together, we are embarking on a journey to unlock the limitless potential of research and learning in the rapidly evolving technology and business landscape,” Gangadharan, who has also taken on the role of Vice Chairperson at Nasscom, said. 
 
Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-B, also emphasized the importance of continuous upskilling in the rapidly advancing domains of digital technologies. He highlighted the pivotal role played by IIIT-B in advancing India's goal of achieving a $1 trillion digital economy by 2026. 
 
No be sure, SAP Labs in India has collaborated with several institutions, including IIIT-Bangalore, Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT) and PSG Institute of Technology, among others, to bridge the gap between industry and academia. Last year, the company has created a curriculum at Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Bangalore to build AI managers of the future, she said. Some of the areas the company would focus on in the short to medium term are metaverse and quantum. 
 
In July, SAP Labs India also announced a partnership with National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, to improve the digital government capabilities in India. 
 
In September, SAP Labs India said that it will double its artificial intelligence (AI) talent base in the country by 2024, to infuse its portfolio with AI capabilities that meet the demand of an evolving business landscape. 
 
SAP’s largest R&D centre globally, the Bengaluru-headquartered hub has emerged as a critical location for company’s AI transformation, enabling its half a million customers worldwide with Business AI, the company said in a statement. SAP in India currently employs around 15,000 people. 
 
SAP AI is built in the systems that power the customers’ most critical business processes and works alongside their users, discovering exceptional insights and efficiencies, making them more knowledgeable and valuable to their business, the statement said. 
 
India is one of the five hubs of SAP, with the company having its locations in Pune, Mumbai, Gurugram and Hyderabad, apart from Bengaluru. 
 
While India currently ranks first in terms of AI skill penetration and AI talent concentration and fifth in AI scientific publications, a study published in July by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said that India would need about 25,000 to 30,000 AI-ML specialists in the next five years.