Building AI for Public Good: IFMR and Krea University Compendium

As emerging technologies reshape how societies learn, work, and govern, artificial intelligence presents a powerful opportunity to advance inclusion, strengthen public institutions, and improve outcomes at scale. This convening brings together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and IFMR alumni to explore how India and the Global South can lead in designing responsible and inclusive AI systems—and how research and evidence can inform real-world applications, policy choices, and inclusive development.

This event is an official pre-summit event of the India AI Summit 2026. It also marks the launch of the IFMR Centres Alumni Network, envisioned as a space for continued engagement, knowledge exchange, mentorship, and collaboration across our global community. 

Join the live stream here

Agenda:
9:00 am onwards | Registrations and tea

9:30 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks

10:00 – 11:35 am

• Fireside Chat | Ethical and Responsible AI Leadership for the Global South
• Building AI for Public Good | Unveiling of IFMR–Krea Compendium
• Special Remarks | Chancellor, Krea University

11:35 am – 12:00 noon | Lightning Reflections with IFMR Centres Alumni

Followed by networking and lunch

About the IFMR Centres Alumni Network

Many of our journeys into research, policy, and practice began on a quiet campus in the heart of Chennai’s Kothari Road, where the seeds of IFMR’s research culture were first sown. What started as a focused effort to build world-class research capabilities has since grown into a vibrant, interdisciplinary university ecosystem (https://krea.edu.in/)— and a global network of researchers, practitioners, and partners working across industries and geographies. Over the past two decades, the Institute has served as a hub for pioneering research in finance and economics, incubating cutting-edge ideas spanning a wide range of sectors, from governance to health and livelihoods. But our most enduring strength has been the collaborations our ecosystem nurtured and the people it brought together.

Today, we’re excited to carry this legacy forward through the IFMR Centres Alumni Network—a global community bringing together former staff and researchers across IFMR centres, including Catalyst, CDFI, Deccan Centre, Inclusion Economics India Centre, IWWAGE, J-PAL South Asia, LEAD, Sapien Labs, and WELL Labs.