On April 16, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur announced the launch of the Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for AI-Enabled Geological and Mining Systems with a funding commitment of ₹15 crore (approximately $1.8 million USD) over five years from Vikram Sodhi, Vice Chairman of Mineros SA. This centre aims to develop artificial intelligence-driven solutions tailored to Indian geological conditions, addressing significant gaps in the mining sector's digital transformation.

The initiative will integrate various disciplines such as geology, mining engineering, and artificial intelligence to create cohesive AI systems that enhance mining operations. The centre will implement an industry-linked Grand Challenges Programme, utilizing real datasets from operational mines to ensure that the research outcomes are relevant and applicable in real-world scenarios.

Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, emphasized that this centre contributes to the institute's interdisciplinary research efforts and is positioned as a platform for integrated research. The centre is named after the Sodhi family, with Col. Manjeet Sodhi, Vikram's father, being a distinguished alumnus of the institute. The focus will be on developing practical research that can be applied within existing mining operations, emphasizing real-world data and collaboration across disciplines.