Persistent Systems , a global Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization leader, announced on May 5, 2026, that its affiliate has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) to launch an AI Innovation Lab in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). The initiative is aligned to Persistent's AI-first strategy and a shared vision of "AI for All," positioning the Lab as a long-term platform to advance AI research, deepen industry-academia collaboration, and build future-ready talent.

AI Innovation Lab: Key Highlights

The partnership brings together academic expertise and industry capability to create a dedicated environment for applied and foundational AI development. The following table outlines the key parameters of the initiative:

Research, Infrastructure, and Application Focus

The AI Innovation Lab will host advanced computational, laboratory, and instructional capabilities to accelerate both research and applied development. Its core emphasis will be on developing robust, safe, and responsible AI systems. Through an integrated approach spanning theory, systems development, and deployment, the Lab is designed to support scalable solutions while strengthening the link between research, engineering, and real-world impact.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to Persistent's AI capability stack, including reusable frameworks, domain insights, and talent pipelines that can be leveraged across engagements. Beyond research and teaching, the Lab will promote international collaboration and cross-domain engagement, serving as a hub for knowledge exchange across academia, industry, and policy stakeholders.

Leadership Perspectives

Several senior leaders from both organizations shared their views on the significance of this partnership:

• Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Persistent Systems, noted that India's AI promise will be built on original research, deep engineering, and work on real problems. He highlighted that the Lab will work closely with faculty and students to advance research while remaining rooted in India-centric challenges. Dr. Deshpande, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur's CSE Department, also expressed that the initiative supports the CSE@50 Mission as the Department approaches its golden jubilee in 2030.

• Prof. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay, Dean – Alumni Affairs, IIT Kharagpur, emphasized that the partnership brings industry perspective into the academic ecosystem while giving students and faculty deeper exposure to real-world challenges. He expressed appreciation for the contribution made by the Deshpande family as well as Persistent Systems.

• Prof. Niloy Ganguly, Head of Department – Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, stated that the partnership will create an environment where academic curiosity meets engineering discipline and industry relevance, and noted the significance of the initiative being led by a CSE Department alumnus.

Broader Impact on India's AI Ecosystem

By nurturing skilled talent and enabling impactful research, the AI Innovation Lab aims to contribute to India's evolving AI ecosystem and expand access to foundational technologies across sectors. The Lab is intended to strengthen India's role in the global AI landscape by preparing talent for the AI world through research excellence and responsible innovation. Persistent Systems currently has over 27,500 employees located in 18 countries and is recognized as a global services and solutions company delivering AI-led, platform-driven Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization across industries.

Persistent Systems Limited has formally notified stock exchanges about upcoming investor and analyst interaction sessions scheduled for May 5, 2026. The announcement, made on April 29, 2026, complies with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

Scheduled Investor Meetings

The company has arranged virtual one-on-one sessions with two institutional investors on May 5, 2026:

Information Disclosure Framework

Persistent Systems has clarified that the investor sessions will focus on reiterating information previously communicated during the Q4FY26 earnings call. The earnings call was conducted on April 21, 2026, covering the quarter and year ended March 31, 2026. The company has emphasized that no unpublished price-sensitive information will be shared during these investor interactions.

Regulatory Compliance

The notification references an earlier communication dated April 21, 2026, under reference number NSE & BSE / 2026-27 / 011. Company Secretary Amit Atre, with ICSI Membership No. ACS 20507, has digitally signed the disclosure document, ensuring proper corporate governance protocols are followed.

Investor Resources

The company has indicated that investor presentation materials and fact sheets from the Q4FY26 earnings call remain available for reference. These materials provide the foundation for discussions during the scheduled investor meetings, maintaining transparency and consistency in information dissemination.