Overview
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) by convening a two‑day National Workshop titled “Sanskrit Studies and Technology: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Humanities and Philosophy in India” on June 18‑19, 2026 at its Bengaluru campus. The workshop was organized by the Centre for Digital Humanities (CDH) and brought together scholars, researchers, technologists and students from across India.
Core Themes and Discussions
The programme featured lectures and interactive sessions that examined the intersections of Sanskrit studies, AI, and Digital Humanities. Participants explored Sanskrit computational linguistics, AI applications for Indian languages, digital knowledge systems, and the role of Indian grammatical tradition in computational linguistics, natural language processing, knowledge representation and AI‑driven language technologies. A key focus was on how insights from the Indian grammatical and philosophical tradition can address modern computational challenges.
Key Quote
Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor of MAHE Bengaluru, stated that “Sanskrit is far more than a classical language; it is one of humanity's most sophisticated knowledge systems… The challenge before us is not simply to connect the ancient with the modern, but to bring these knowledge traditions into meaningful dialogue with Artificial Intelligence and Digital Humanities.”
Collaborative Elements
The workshop was part of an academic collaboration between MAHE and SCSVMV, Kanchipuram, reflecting a shared vision among CDH, the Department of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (DLHS), the Manipal Institute of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (MISHA), and SCSVMV to promote excellence in Sanskrit studies, Digital Humanities and IKS through interdisciplinary research.
Outcomes and Future Directions
Experts presented contemporary research challenges at the intersection of Sanskrit and AI, encouraging solution‑oriented approaches. The discussions strengthened academic networks, generated ideas for future collaborations in computational linguistics, digital preservation, language technologies and knowledge engineering, and positioned MAHE Bengaluru as a centre for research and innovation in Digital Humanities and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Institutional Profile
MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Technology & Science streams at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur and Dubai. It received Institution of Eminence status from the Ministry of Education in 2020 and is ranked 3rd in the NIRF 2025 rankings.