JanAI has partnered with four universities to expand access to artificial intelligence education and entrepreneurship opportunities in rural India, with initiatives focused on connecting academic research, student innovation and local economic development.
The partnerships involve Presidency University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru, RV College of Engineering and the University of Liverpool's Bengaluru campus. Together, the institutions will support programmes aimed at helping rural youth and entrepreneurs develop AI-based solutions to challenges faced by their communities.
The collaboration includes plans for a research hub, a rural incubator, an entrepreneurship hackathon and structured learning programmes for rural ambassadors. These initiatives are intended to connect university resources and technical expertise with practical requirements in villages and smaller communities.
According to JanAI, the programmes will focus on enabling participants to identify local problems, develop solutions and explore opportunities to establish businesses using AI technologies.
Madan Padaki, Founder of JanAI, said rural communities have the potential to address challenges through innovation when provided with access to appropriate resources and institutional support.
He emphasised that the partnerships would connect the aspirations of rural youth with university research and expertise, creating opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship and economic participation within their communities.
As part of the initiative, JanAI has introduced Tech4Bharat, a mass entrepreneurship hackathon organised in partnership with RV College of Engineering and GAVS, the Global Accelerator Vision Summit.
The programme will encourage students to develop solutions for challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Participants will be expected to identify practical business problems and explore how technology can support entrepreneurship and operational improvements.
The University of Liverpool's Bengaluru campus will conduct structured learning programmes for 100 rural JanAI Ambassadors, with particular emphasis on the Kalyana Karnataka region.
Students from the university will also be encouraged to work on AI applications addressing village-level challenges, incorporating insights from rural communities into the development process.
Alongside the academic partnerships, JanAI has opened its tenth AI Café in Wardha, Maharashtra. The initiative provides a community-based environment where individuals can learn about artificial intelligence and understand its potential applications in everyday activities.
The expansion of the AI Café network forms part of JanAI's broader efforts to make AI education accessible beyond conventional academic and urban technology environments.
The partnerships come as educational institutions and technology organisations explore ways to extend AI-related skills and innovation opportunities to underserved communities.
By combining university-led research, entrepreneurship programmes and local participation, JanAI aims to support the development of AI applications relevant to rural livelihoods and small businesses.
The company has not disclosed financial commitments associated with the partnerships or a timeline for establishing all the proposed facilities.
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