--- title: "Bengal AI Collective — AI Think Tank in Kolkata, West Bengal" description: "Bengal AI Collective is the independent, non-profit AI think tank for West Bengal. From Kolkata, it convenes CIOs, CTOs, founders and academics on AI policy." url: https://bengalaicollective.org --- *Bengal AI Collective · Kolkata* *Non-profit · Non-partisan · Est. 2026* # The independent AI think tank *for West Bengal*. **Bengal AI Collective** convenes the state's technology leaders, enterprises, startups and academic institutions to produce independent research and practical policy advice on artificial intelligence. We are committed to work that is evidence-led, published in the open and accountable to no commercial or political interest. [Our research & policy work](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do) [Join the Collective](https://bengalaicollective.org/membership) [Read “An Invitation” (PDF, 23 pages) ↓](https://bengalaicollective.org/downloads/bengal-ai-collective-an-invitation.pdf?v=2026-10-03) - **Mandate:** Independent research and policy advice on AI - **Membership:** Free for individuals, by invitation only - **Work:** Roundtables, task forces and published research Connect · Collaborate · Transform — Convene · Research · Advise · Publish *Why we exist* ## West Bengal will make its biggest AI decisions this decade. Those decisions are about what to automate, whom to train, what to regulate and where to invest. They should be made with the best knowledge available. Our job is to put that knowledge in front of the people making them, and to do it in the open. *Tech leaders* Who decide CIOs, CTOs and heads of IT, data and digital. They decide how AI is bought and used in Kolkata's enterprises. *Companies & startups* Who build Kolkata corporates, AI companies, OEMs, cloud providers and startups. They build, sell and run AI. *Academia* Who research Professors and researchers from Bengal's universities and institutes. They bring evidence, and the next generation of talent. *For Bengalis everywhere* ## Bring it home. Bengalis build and lead AI in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, in London, Singapore and Silicon Valley. Bringing it home doesn't mean moving back. It means bringing your knowledge, network and support to AI in West Bengal through the Collective, in whatever capacity suits you, from wherever you live. If you are from Bengal, or simply care about it, you belong in this room. ### Share what you know - Join a task force or review research, remotely - Mentor founders and young professionals in Bengal - Teach a masterclass or give a talk online ### Open doors - Connect Kolkata to your company, lab or network - Bring partnerships, investment and customers home - Champion Bengal's AI talent where you work ### In any capacity - Advise, research, sponsor or partner, as suits you - Bring your company's support to AI in West Bengal - Meet us at the Bengal AI Dialogue each April, for Poila Boishakh [Join from anywhere](https://bengalaicollective.org/membership#global) [Read why it matters](https://bengalaicollective.org/insights/bringing-bengals-ai-minds-home) *Where you fit* ## One platform. Four ways in. Whether you run technology, sell it, fund it or study it, there is a place for you here, and a reason to be in the room. [ *For CIOs, CTOs & heads of IT* ### Tech Leaders Council Compare notes with peers on what AI actually delivers, in private and under the Chatham House Rule. Learn more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/membership)[ *For AI companies & OEMs* ### Sponsor an event Meet the people who buy AI in Kolkata through roundtables, masterclasses and demos. Learn more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/sponsor)[ *For corporates* ### CSR partnerships Direct your CSR budget to AI education and skills in West Bengal, with clear reporting on results. Learn more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/sponsor#csr)[ *For founders & academics* ### Startup Circle & Academic Associates Meet enterprise buyers, mentors, co-authors and talent, all in one place. Learn more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/membership) *The invitation · PDF · 23 pages* ## Why it is worth your time, in 23 pages. One chapter for each kind of person in the room. Each covers where you stand today, what the Collective gives you, and exactly how to take part. Jump to yours below, and read it page by page. **Read the deck as text** 1. There is a seat for you in the room shaping AI in Bengal. 2. The opportunity: Bengal's AI decisions are being made now. The question is who is in the room. 3. What we are: a neutral room, built so people can speak plainly. 4. Find your chapter: five kinds of people, five different reasons to join. 5. For CIOs, CTOs and heads of IT: you are expected to have an AI plan. Few people can tell you what actually works. 6. Why join: what the Tech Leaders Council gives you that a vendor event never will. 7. How you take part: choose your depth. Start wherever you are comfortable. 8. For professionals, academics and founders: your best thinking deserves a wider room than your own organisation. 9. Why join: four things membership gives you. 10. How you take part: pick the circle that fits you today. 11. For corporates and business leaders: AI will reshape your workforce and your market. Your CSR can shape Bengal's response. 12. Why partner with us: a partnership you can report on with pride. 13. How you take part: from a single event to a founding seat. 14. For OEMs, cloud and AI platform companies: Eastern India's buyers have heard the pitch. Now they want to see it work. 15. Why partner with us: put your platform in the hands of the people who decide. 16. How you take part: four ways to show what your technology can do. 17. For IT services firms, system integrators and consultancies: every provider now claims AI capability. Clients are looking for proof. 18. Why partner with us: earn trust by teaching what you know. 19. How you take part: bring your practice into the Collective. 20. Why now: the founding window is open. 21. The agreement: what we ask of you, and what we promise in return. 22. Your next step: one email to connect@bengalaicollective.org starts it. 23. Together, let's build the AI-powered future of Bengal. *Research & policy* ## Six questions West Bengal must answer about AI. Each will be led by a task force of practitioners, academics and industry experts, with findings that decision-makers can act on. [ *01* ### AI policy & governance How the state should adopt and regulate AI. Read more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do)[ *02* ### Talent & the future of work Which jobs AI will change in Bengal, and how to keep talent here. Read more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do)[ *03* ### Industry, startups & investment What brings AI companies and capital to Kolkata. Read more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do)[ *04* ### Bangla AI & digital infrastructure Bengali-language AI, data and compute. Read more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do)[ *05* ### AI in public services Where AI helps health, education and agriculture, and where it doesn't. Read more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do)[ *06* ### Ethics, safety & trust Rules that keep AI fair and accountable. Read more →](https://bengalaicollective.org/what-we-do) *How we work* ## Not a lobby. Not a consultancy. We sell nothing and we represent no company. That independence is what lets people speak candidly in our rooms, and what will give our recommendations weight. - **We convene** — Roundtables, masterclasses and public dialogues in Kolkata, other Indian cities and online. - **We research** — Independent, evidence-based work on the AI choices West Bengal faces. - **We advise** — Practical recommendations for government, industry and universities. - **We publish** — Papers, briefs and roadmaps, free for anyone to read and use. *Events & masterclasses* ## Roundtables, masterclasses and dialogues in Kolkata. Closed-door roundtables for CIOs and CTOs, hands-on AI masterclasses taught by practitioners, and our flagship, the Bengal AI Dialogue, held each April around Poila Boishakh. The first dates will be published soon. [See our events](https://bengalaicollective.org/events) [Sponsor an event](https://bengalaicollective.org/sponsor) *Questions* ## What people ask us first. Short answers to common questions. For anything else, write to us. - **What is Bengal AI Collective?** — Bengal AI Collective is an independent AI think tank, set up as a non-profit NGO in Kolkata. It brings CIOs, CTOs, tech leaders, companies, startups and academics together to research, discuss and advise on AI in West Bengal. - **Is Bengal AI Collective a non-profit?** — Yes. It is a non-profit, non-partisan NGO. It is not owned by any company, university or political party, and it does not pay dividends. - **Who can become a member?** — Individual membership is free and by invitation only. CIOs, CTOs, heads of IT, founders, senior professionals and academics can write to express interest, and new members are invited with the agreement of existing members. Companies and institutions take part as paid sponsors and partners. - **Can Bengalis living outside West Bengal or abroad join?** — Yes, and we want them to. Bengalis and friends of Bengal working in AI anywhere in India or the world can connect and contribute in any capacity, without moving back: join task forces remotely, mentor, teach online, advise, sponsor or open doors to partnerships, and meet us in Kolkata at the Bengal AI Dialogue each April, around Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year. - **How can a company sponsor an event?** — Companies, including AI companies and OEMs, can sponsor roundtables, masterclasses, the Bengal AI Dialogue each April, or a research area. Write to connect@bengalaicollective.org for the sponsorship deck. - **Can companies support Bengal AI Collective through CSR?** — Companies can discuss CSR partnerships for AI education and skilling in West Bengal. We share our registration status and documents with your CSR committee before you commit. - **Is there something I can read before writing in?** — Yes. 'Bengal AI Collective: An Invitation' is a 23-page PDF with a chapter each for CIOs and CTOs, professionals and academics, corporates, OEMs and AI platforms, and IT services firms. Download it from the home page or the Membership page. - **Where are the events held?** — Events will be held in Kolkata, in other Indian cities and online. Dates will be published on the Events page. *Join the Collective* ## Together, let's build the AI-powered future of Bengal. If you lead technology, build AI, or teach and research it, write to us. Membership is free for individuals and by invitation only. [Ways to join](https://bengalaicollective.org/membership) [Sponsorship & CSR](https://bengalaicollective.org/sponsor)