IIT Madras has released Joint Implementation Committee report. According to the report, BTech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics program which was launched in June 2024 by the institute gained popularity quickly. It is the third most popular choice among applicants in the initial year at IIT Madras.  

Artificial Intelligence and Data Science have emerged as two of the most dynamic and rapidly growing fields within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) domain for the past few years. The need for technology that can analyze large volumes of data, automate complex operations, and create intelligent systems drives their rise globally and ignites innovation in various industries.  

AI and data science are among the most promising and in-demand specializations in engineering, which is still one of India's most popular academic fields. Numerous prestigious universities have launched or expanded their AI and data science programs in response to the increasing need for specialists in these fields.  

AI Education Soars in Popularity 

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras gained much attention after launching the program. The program, BTech in AI and Data Analytics is where emerging technologies and basics come together. One of the top choices at the institute for 20,323 prospective students this year, it stresses practical skills in application development and responsible technology design while providing foundational learning in mathematics, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.  

The program is second only to the well-established Computer Science and Engineering, with 23,741 interested students, and Electrical Engineering, with 20,350 interested students. This statistic unequivocally demonstrates the growing demand for specialized training in data-driven technologies and the emergence of AI features in numerous fields.  

AI, Data Analytics Lead the Way at IIT Madras 

Mechanical engineering accounted for 17,922, aerospace engineering for 14,165, and civil engineering for 13,901, which are IIT Madras' other significant programs. Chemical engineering and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, which each have over 10,000 interested students, are on the list. Thus, all of these figures indicate a significant trend in all of the engineering specialities at IIT Madras, with a noticeable rise in AI and data analytics indicating a clear shift toward the data-driven realm.  

It seems that other courses also reported changes in their preference pattern. Interest in the Physics program increased from 4,308 in 2023 to 5,443 in 2024, representing a significant 26% increase. Biological science, Engineering design, Biological engineering, Naval architecture, and Ocean engineering continued to be of interest.  

This AI and Data Analytics program's success shows how prepared IIT Madras is to offer its students cutting-edge, industry-relevant education. As the demand for skilled AI professionals grows globally, IIT Madras' new program puts its graduates in a solid position to meet the evolving demands of the technology industry. 

JIC Report