Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati hosted its annual AI Confluence for students enrolled in its online B.Sc. (Hons) degree programme in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, bringing together around 400 learners on campus over two days.
Held on 6 January 2026, the event was organised for students of the online programme offered by the Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at IIT Guwahati. Participants travelled from different parts of India to attend the programme, which created an in-person learning environment for a cohort that otherwise studies online.
The student group included early-career professionals, learners who have completed Class XII, and participants from varied academic and professional backgrounds. For many, the confluence provided an opportunity to meet faculty members and peers in person and to engage with the campus environment.
The AI Confluence was designed to complement online learning with face-to-face interaction and community-building. Over the two days, students attended invited talks, took part in discussions, presented their work, and participated in collaborative and cultural activities with faculty and fellow students.
Speaking at the event, Devendra Jalohal said, “Data science encompasses every domain of modern-day business. IIT Guwahati recognises the value of creating opportunities for online learners to meet, collaborate, and feel connected to the institution. AI Confluence reflects the institute’s continued efforts to complement online education with shared experiences that foster community, collaboration, and personal growth.”
Invited lectures during the programme focused on data-driven approaches in the life sciences, software engineering, privacy and security in large-scale AI systems, and discussions on skills considered important in an increasingly automated environment. According to organisers, these sessions were intended to balance technical instruction with broader contextual understanding.
In addition to academic sessions, students participated in poster presentations, AI film-making challenges, inventathon activities, and panel discussions on business and entrepreneurship. Cultural programmes and student-led showcases were also held, offering further opportunities for interaction and informal learning.
Ratnajit Bhattacharya said, “The demand for both data science and artificial intelligence is growing. We have come to a paradigm where decision-making by analysing data is becoming very important.”
The online B.Sc. (Hons) degree programme in Data Science and AI is aimed at students and working professionals whose location, career paths, or personal circumstances may not permit full-time, on-campus study. The programme allows learners to choose their pace of study and offers a flexible academic structure with multiple entry and exit options.
Highlighting the programme’s objectives, Hemant B. Kaushik said, “High-quality technical upskilling should be accessible for early-career professionals and ambitious young students. The online B.Sc. (Hons) programme in DS & AI at IIT Guwahati focuses on widening access while ensuring that academic standards, faculty engagement, and assessment rigour remain uncompromised.”
Teaching under the programme is conducted fully online by IIT Guwahati faculty through recorded lectures, live sessions, and discussion hours. According to the institute, the AI Confluence forms part of its broader efforts to combine academic rigour with accessibility, flexibility, and structured engagement for online learners.
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