Tech Mahindra has announced a strategic collaboration with University College London (UCL) to advance joint research and solution development in Generative AI and quantum computing, marking a significant step in UK–India technology cooperation.
The agreement, signed at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi, focuses on next-generation technologies including:
- World models
- Domain-specific Small Language Models (SLMs)
- Verticalized Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Quantum machine learning
- Quantum security
- Industry-specific AI applications
Bridging Academic Research and Enterprise Engineering
Under the partnership, Tech Mahindra will bring its enterprise-scale AI model development capabilities and deep domain expertise in solution engineering. UCL will contribute its leading research strengths in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
The collaboration aims to co-develop verticalized LLMs and world models tailored for enterprise deployment in the UK, with scalability for global markets. Research and development efforts will be driven primarily through Tech Mahindra’s Makers Lab, the company’s innovation engine, and will operate through joint research teams composed of UCL academics, research fellows and students working alongside Tech Mahindra subject matter experts.
Harshul Asnani, President and Head – Europe Business at Tech Mahindra, said the partnership addresses a key industry challenge: building scalable, trustworthy and industry-specific AI systems. He noted that combining academic rigor with real-world engineering will enable measurable enterprise value creation across sectors.
The collaboration will explore use cases across industries where both organisations have strong experience, including healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing and business services. The model is expected to be replicated across Europe, with discussions underway regarding the potential establishment of a dedicated joint research lab.
Strengthening the UK’s AI and Quantum Talent Pipeline
As part of the initiative, UCL students will have opportunities for internships in advanced research domains such as vertical LLMs, world models and quantum machine learning. The programme is designed to strengthen the UK’s skilled technology workforce, with scope to expand participation as the partnership matures.
Professor Geraint Rees, Vice-Provost Research, Innovation & Global Engagement at UCL, described the collaboration as a milestone in the university’s global engagement strategy, reinforcing the importance of UK–India cooperation in shaping the future of transformative technologies.
The partnership aligns closely with Tech Mahindra’s UK and Europe growth strategy and underscores its commitment to research-led innovation that bridges academia and industry, enabling enterprises to access cutting-edge AI and quantum capabilities at scale.
