New Delhi: IIT Madras, through its Promoter Technologies Foundation, has launched the Centre of AI Research (CoAIR) in collaboration with California-based deep-tech startup Zeroh Labs. The initiative aims to revolutionise artificial intelligence (AI) development by focusing on efficient, accessible AI models that run on CPUs and edge devices – eliminating the reliance on expensive GPUs.
The CoAIR will accelerate the creation of scalable AI solutions for developers, businesses, and researchers. At the launch event, Ziroh Labs introduced Kompact AI, a cutting-edge AI platform that enables the development and deployment of foundational models on CPUs without needing GPUs. This approach drastically reduces infrastructure costs and increases accessibility across sectors.
IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti highlighted the importance of focused AI research, stating, “Effective knowledge acquisition must be domain-specific. Trying to build universal AI is unsustainable in the long run.”
By optimizing 17 AI models—such as DeepSeek, Qwen, and LLaMA—to run efficiently on CPUs, Ziroh Labs has demonstrated significant progress in scalable AI deployment. These models underwent rigorous benchmarking with IIT Madras to validate their performance and accuracy.
Madhusudhanan B, Principal Consultant at IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, explained, “Kompact AI enables high-performance AI without expensive infrastructure. Through CoAIR, we aim to deliver actionable AI solutions that can be deployed at scale, especially in rural and underserved regions across India.”
One of Kompact AI’s key advantages is its ability to operate without continuous internet access, making it ideal for remote locations with limited connectivity.
The event saw participation from global technology leaders including:
- Whitfield Diffie, Turing Award winner and Fellow of the Royal Society
- Scott McNealy, Founder of Sun Microsystems
- William J. Raduchel, former CTO of AOL Time Warner
- S. Sadagopan, former Director, IIIT-Bangalore
- Raj Singh, Founder of APIGee and Fiberlane
IIT Madras and Ziroh Labs showcased how Kompact AI is redefining AI development by making it CPU-centric, affordable, and widely deployable. This move aligns with India’s “AI for All” mission, empowering more communities through cutting-edge technology.
In parallel, IIT Madras also unveiled a real-time indoor mapping device capable of generating precise maps under various lighting and environmental conditions—further strengthening its leadership in AI and innovation.
Read more:
