Launch of CAiRL Foundation @ T-Hub Hyderabad

Being the keynote speaker at the launch of the Collaborative AI Research Labs Foundation (CAiRL) on Nov. 8, 2024, at T-Hub in Hyderabad , Telangana, India was truly unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, there was an electric energy in the air—a collective sense of excitement and pride, as if we were all about to embark on a grand adventure. For me, standing there on that stage, it was like being at the start of something truly transformative, not just for Hyderabad but potentially for AI worldwide.

The venue itself added to the magic. T-Hub, nestled among the sleek, world-class towers of Hi-Tech City, couldn’t have been more fitting. Surrounded by the offices of nearly every major global company you can imagine, T-Hub is where visionaries and tech pioneers come to push boundaries and explore what’s next. Walking into T-Hub, you can feel the spirit of innovation in the air—it’s the heart of Hyderabad’s startup ecosystem and the ideal place to unveil CAiRL’s vision of transforming the AI landscape for good.

Of course, none of this would have come to life without RAMAMOHAN MANAMASA . CAiRL is his brainchild, the result of his vision and determination to make Hyderabad a beacon for applied, ethical AI. Rammohan has this rare ability to bring people together and make them believe in a common purpose, and I am incredibly honored to play a part in his dream of creating a collaborative AI hub that bridges academia, industry, and government.

As the Founder and CEO of Colaberry Inc., a company committed to advancing data science and AI with a focus on social impact, I feel a strong alignment with CAiRL’s mission. Colaberry has always been passionate about using AI to solve real-world problems, and we’re excited to support CAiRL’s vision of developing AI for the public good. Our involvement with CAiRL reflects our belief in ethical, collaborative AI and our commitment to helping position Hyderabad as a world leader in AI innovation and Applied AI.

When it came time for my keynote address, “Global AI Research Landscape and the Need for Collaborative AI Research Labs Foundation in India,” I was thrilled to share my perspective with an audience as eager as I was. My message was simple but, I hoped, impactful: with the right support, Hyderabad could be a game-changer in AI. I live in Massachusetts, and I spoke about how Paul Baier recently launched " AI Blueprint for MA " an initiative that Massachusetts state’s governor, Maura Healey and Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey , provided $100 million in funding to attract, retain, and grow AI talent in the state of Massachusetts . With that level of investment, they are laser-focused on creating an AI-ready workforce, and it’s clear the U.S. is going all-in on staying at the forefront of this field.

But here’s the thing—while Massachusetts has funding and resources, Hyderabad has something just as powerful, if not more: raw, untapped talent, and a readiness to excel. We have the people, the passion, and the skills; all we need is the infrastructure and the right opportunities to make this city a global hub for AI. Hyderabad has already achieved this kind of success in IT and biopharma. Why not AI?

In fact, Massachusetts and Hyderabad already share a unique common ground as global hubs for the biopharma industry, and it’s only fitting that they now look forward to working together in the AI space. Both regions are positioning themselves as world leaders in applied AI, particularly in areas like healthcare, drug discovery, and precision medicine. With collaboration, the two regions have the potential to set benchmarks for innovation, creating AI-driven solutions that impact industries and lives worldwide.

Throughout my talk, I focused on what makes CAiRL different. It’s not just a research lab; it’s a collaborative platform where students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers can all come together, create, and innovate. It’s an ecosystem where ideas don’t just stay on the whiteboard—they become real-world applications, tackling issues like healthcare access, food security, and climate resilience. With CAiRL, we’re on a mission to create AI that doesn’t just serve tech giants but addresses the real needs of society.

After my keynote, we had a fantastic Q&A session. People were curious and engaged, asking questions about everything from developing local talent to forming international partnerships. I could tell they were excited to jump in and contribute to CAiRL’s mission, and I was delighted to share more about how CAiRL aims to build a thriving AI community. We’re not just looking to conduct research; we’re building a pipeline, a place where students and experts can learn, collaborate, and create solutions for the challenges we all face. CAiRL’s open-source projects and partnerships will give Hyderabad a unique position, allowing it to attract global talent while creating solutions that resonate far beyond India.

The next part of the evening was the panel discussion, “AI 2030: Envisioning the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Industry & Society.” I was thrilled to join esteemed panelists like Neil Gogte, Dr.Ratnakar Palakodeti and Bindu Nishal, each of whom brought unique insights. Moderated by Dr. Dr. Suraj Bhansali , the conversation covered everything from ethical AI frameworks to the role of automation in the workplace. Each of us shared real-life examples and case studies of AI’s impact, like improving patient outcomes in healthcare or optimizing crop yields in agriculture. And we didn’t shy away from the tough questions—how will AI reshape jobs? What ethical considerations are crucial to avoid unintended consequences? It felt like a meaningful, necessary conversation, and I was grateful to be part of it.

One of the evening’s standout moments was hearing from Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary for IT and I&C, Government of Telangana. His support was a powerful statement that the government sees the potential in CAiRL and believes in Hyderabad’s future as a global AI destination. Knowing we have this level of support makes a world of difference—it validates our efforts and shows that we’re all aligned in our vision for the city and the state.

It was also wonderful to see several notable dignitaries from diverse sectors attending the event, including industry leaders like Anurag Garg, Ajay Jain, Praveen Sandri , Sirish Puppala, Vinod Yadav Manish Gupta, Dr.Ramesh Babu Pothineni ,Reddanna Pallu, Phani Pattamatta, Sayantan Bose, Venkateshwarlu Madala, Pankaj Diwan, RAHUL PAITH, Muralidhar Chadalavada , Ravindra Movva , Kris K among others. These leaders represent organizations that are shaping the future, including T-Hub, Silverneedle Ventures, Colaberry, Innominds, Neil Gogte Institute of Technology, IKP Knowledge Park, Experian, SAP, EY etc. Their presence along with and Jessica Dammu for being a fantastic emcee added weight to the event and reinforced the collaborative spirit that CAiRL embodies.

Throughout the event, I was struck by how invested everyone seemed. This wasn’t just another AI event or tech seminar; it felt more like a movement, a collective effort to shape the future of AI in a way that’s ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible. CAiRL is built on the idea that AI should serve the public good, not just private interests. And as much as we’re looking to create solutions for complex problems, we’re also here to ask important questions: How can we make AI more transparent? How do we ensure it’s fair and unbiased? What kind of ethical standards should we uphold to prevent harm? These are big questions, and CAiRL is committed to finding the answers.

As the night wound down, I looked around the room and felt a deep sense of pride and hope. The launch of CAiRL feels like planting the first seeds of something extraordinary—a chance to position Hyderabad not just as a technology hub but as a leader in ethical AI. I left the event with a heart full of excitement and gratitude, grateful to Rammohan for dreaming up CAiRL, to the incredible team behind the scenes, and to everyone who showed up ready to make this dream a reality.

Now, it’s time to turn that excitement into action. I challenge the industry in Hyderabad to get deeply involved in CAiRL, to collaborate, innovate, and invest in this transformative initiative. Together, we can position Hyderabad as the global destination for applied AI, working hand-in-hand with cities like Massachusetts to lead the world in AI innovation. More importantly, we can shape the future of the world as we enter the era of AI—a future where technology serves humanity in the most meaningful ways. Let’s make it happen, Hyderabad!