February 20, 2026 -- UCL has announced a new collaboration with Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, to advance joint research in generative AI, quantum computing and next generation digital technologies.

The partnership brings together UCL’s world leading expertise in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies with Tech Mahindra’s strengths in large-scale AI model development and enterprise solution engineering.

Together, the organisations will focus on next-generation solutions, including world models, domain-specific Small Language Models (SLMs), quantum machine learning, quantum security, and industry-specific AI use cases. They will explore new opportunities across sectors where both have deep experience, including healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing and business services.

The agreement was signed this week in Delhi at the India AI Impact Summit.

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), said: “As UCL marks its 200th year of discovery and innovation, this new partnership with Tech Mahindra marks a major milestone in our global engagement. By bringing together UCL’s strengths in AI and quantum technologies with Tech Mahindra’s deep industry expertise, we are creating a powerful platform to accelerate innovation and deliver real-world impact. This collaboration not only strengthens our research ecosystem but also reinforces the vital role of UK–India cooperation in shaping the future of transformative technologies.”

Harshul Asnani, President and Head – Europe Business, Tech Mahindra, said: “As enterprises accelerate their adoption of advanced AI and quantum technologies, building scalable, trustworthy and industry-specific AI systems remains a significant challenge. Our collaboration with UCL brings together academic excellence and real-world engineering expertise to address the gap. By enabling the co creation of world models and vertical LLMs, the collaboration will deliver measurable value for enterprises across the UK and globally.”

Under the new collaboration, UCL and Tech Mahindra will work jointly to build verticalised Large Language Models (LLMs) and world models that can be deployed by UK enterprises and scaled globally.

Research and development will be led by joint project teams connecting experts from Tech Mahindra’s Makers Lab - its global innovation engine - with UCL academics, research fellows and students.

The collaboration model is expected to be replicated across Europe, with both organisations also exploring the potential creation of a dedicated joint research lab.

As part of the collaboration, UCL students could have the opportunity to undertake internships in advanced research areas 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 to additional interns and research scholars as the partnership evolves.

UCL is at the forefront of building the UK’s global leadership on the development of, safeguards around and the future of artificial intelligence. Its AI for People and Planet framework sets out its commitment to exploring the potential of AI as a force for good and to working with partners across the world to achieve this.