Wipro and IISc join forces to push frontier tech research

Wipro has announced a new partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), setting the stage for deeper work in advanced technologies. The agreement outlines a joint research program spanning quantum computing, advanced AI models, secure digital infrastructure, and approaches for autonomous networks.

A new chapter in a long relationship

Wipro and IISc have collaborated for decades, dating back to the late 1970s, when they worked together on microprocessor-based mini-computers. The latest alliance aims to combine IISc’s academic strength with Wipro’s engineering and delivery expertise across multiple industries.

Sandhya Arun, Chief Technology Officer at Wipro, said the partnership is aimed at solving difficult technical challenges faced by global enterprises. She highlighted the opportunity to blend deep research with practical solutions.

Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean of the Division of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Sciences at IISc, noted that academic–industry ties are key to turning research into real-world outcomes. He said the renewed collaboration strengthens IISc’s ability to advance work in intelligent systems, digital infrastructure, and secure computing.

What the two sides plan to build

Both organisations will create a research program that brings together IISc faculty and Wipro technologists. According to the announcement, the teams will work on several focus areas:

• Autonomous network intelligence and agentic AI, supporting telecom and connectivity sectors. This includes self-managing networks for future 6G systems.

• Agentic and embodied AI, aimed at uses in manufacturing, automotive, robotics, and industrial operations.

• Optimisation and secure computing models, including ideas inspired by quantum computing, to strengthen resilience in finance, energy, supply chains, and critical infrastructure.

• Digital trust and secure infrastructure frameworks, using distributed ledger technologies and quantum-safe methods for BFSI, healthcare, and public services.

Wipro said the output of these projects will feed into its delivery platforms WINGS and WEGA, along with broader industry solutions. For IISc, the collaboration is expected to support expanded research capacity and technology transfer opportunities.

Backed by the Wipro Innovation Network

The partnership will also tap into the Wipro Innovation Network, a set of labs, venture investments, academic alliances, and crowdsourcing communities such as Topcoder. The company described the network as part of its approach to building AI-driven solutions for clients across telecom, manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare.

Why this matters

The agreement arrives as companies race to build capability in quantum-ready systems and new forms of AI. For India’s tech ecosystem, collaborations between long-standing institutions like IISc and enterprise players like Wipro could help sharpen the country’s position in next-generation computing.

While the announcement focuses on research and long-term development, both sides emphasise the goal of moving innovations out of labs and into industry settings. For young tech professionals watching the rise of AI and quantum computing, this partnership may signal new opportunities for skills, research roles, and industry adoption in the coming years.

Forward-looking statements

Wipro included its standard caution regarding forward-looking statements, noting that actual results may vary based on economic conditions, competitive pressures, regulatory changes, and other risk factors outlined in its filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.