Programme Announcement
IITM Pravartak, the Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Madras, together with the higher‑edtech platform TimesPro, announced the launch of Batch 03 of its Advanced Certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence & Deep Learning. The programme spans seven months and is delivered entirely online through a Direct‑to‑Device mode that includes live interactive sessions by IIT Madras faculty and industry practitioners, supplemented by webinars, assignments, a capstone project, and a campus immersion at the IIT Madras Research Park.
Curriculum and Skills Covered
Participants will work with widely adopted frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch while gaining a deeper understanding of machine learning, deep learning, Generative AI, Large Language Models, and agentic AI systems. The syllabus also integrates MLOps and cybersecurity essentials, emphasizing robustness, security, scalability, and alignment with business requirements. Hands‑on learning, case‑based instruction, and guided projects are core components of the training.
Target Audience and Eligibility
The programme is aimed at professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to develop AI applications that meet tangible business needs. It welcomes graduates and post‑graduates in engineering, mathematics, or computational sciences, as well as working professionals aspiring to AI‑focused roles. Eligibility requires a graduation or post‑graduation qualification in the mentioned disciplines. The participant profile historically includes senior technologists such as CTOs, VPs, directors, senior solution architects, technical leads, project leads, and general managers from sectors like automotive, banking and mortgage, software, customer service, education, manufacturing, healthcare, and R&D.
Sectoral Relevance
Enterprises across retail, BFSI, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and the public sector are increasingly applying AI to demand forecasting, customer personalization, anomaly detection, quality automation, and operational optimisation. As AI moves from isolated pilots to core operations, organisations require professionals who can combine applied AI knowledge with sound judgement and an understanding of system performance at scale.
Market Context and Demand for Talent
According to MarketsandMarkets, the global deep‑learning market is projected to expand from USD 25.40 billion in 2024 to USD 506.75 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 31.7 % between 2025 and 2035. A McKinsey 2025 global survey found that 88 % of respondents reported regular AI use in at least one business function, yet only about one‑third had begun scaling AI programmes enterprise‑wide. KPMG’s Global AI Pulse Q1 2026 highlights the next challenge for enterprises as converting expanding AI adoption into consistent value through stronger execution, governance, operating models, and workforce readiness.
Quotes from Leadership
Dr. Suchitra Veeravalli, Consultant at IITM Pravartak, stated: “AI now demands professionals who can move beyond theoretical familiarity and design systems that work reliably in complex business environments. Through this programme, we aim to strengthen applied competence, analytical judgement and responsible implementation, enabling learners to build production‑ready AI solutions that create measurable value across sectors and emerging enterprises alike.”
Sridhar Nagarajachar, Business Head – Executive Education at TimesPro, added: “India’s AI opportunity will be shaped by professionals who understand data, models and business context with equal rigour. Our collaboration with IITM Pravartak brings a strong practice‑led learning experience that helps learners develop contemporary AI capabilities and apply them to enterprise priorities across industries with confidence and purpose at scale.”
Certification and Institutional Background
Upon successful completion, learners receive a Certificate of Completion from IITM Pravartak. IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation is a Section 8 company that houses the Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators, and Control Systems (SNACS). It is hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber‑Physical Systems.
TimesPro, established in 2013, is a leading higher‑edtech platform under the Times of India Group. It offers a variety of employment‑oriented programmes across BFSI, e‑Commerce, and technology sectors, as well as executive education in collaboration with premier institutions such as IIMs and IITs, and provides organisational learning solutions for corporate upskilling.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of the programme can pursue roles such as Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Analyst, AI/ML Research Scientist, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Engineer, Deep Learning Engineer, and Quantitative Analyst, among others, thereby contributing to the growing demand for AI‑savvy talent across Indian industry.