The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National University of Singapore Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) on May 12, 2026, to strengthen artificial intelligence governance and digital leadership capabilities across Indian enterprises. Exchanged at the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, this strategic alliance aims to equip senior executives and board members with practical frameworks for responsible AI deployment. The partnership marks a crucial step in preparing India’s corporate sector for the complex regulatory and operational demands of the emerging technology landscape.
Strategic Alliance for Digital Leadership and AI Governance
The primary objective of the collaboration is to build robust digital leadership and responsible artificial intelligence governance within Indian businesses. The core initiative under this agreement is the joint delivery of the Leadership Programme on Artificial Intelligence and Governance. This specialised training is specifically designed for board members, chief executive officers, and senior decision-makers to help them manage the operational and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence.
This agreement formalises and expands upon a series of successful pilot programmes. Between November 2024 and November 2025, three pilot editions were conducted in Singapore, training more than 65 Indian executives. Following these positive outcomes, the new partnership establishes half-yearly programme runs scheduled throughout 2026, 2027, and 2028. The joint initiative has set an immediate target to train over 100 executives by the end of 2026.
| Programme Aspect | Key Partnership Details |
|---|---|
| Official Title | Leadership Programme on Artificial Intelligence and Governance |
| Primary Audience | Board members, C-suite executives, and senior corporate decision-makers |
| Duration of Agreement | Scheduled runs spanning three years from 2026 to 2028 |
| Immediate Milestone | Upskilling more than 100 Indian corporate leaders in 2026 |
Anchoring at the CII Global Leadership Centre
The newly signed programme will find its home at the CII Global Leadership Centre in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh. The establishment of this center was officially announced in January 2025 at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Designed as a key hub for leadership development, corporate governance, and industrial competitiveness, the facility is being developed through a strategic partnership between the Tata Group and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
By utilizing the modern facilities of the center, the programmes aim to build a world-class training environment. The initiative aligns closely with the broader developmental vision of the state government, particularly the Swarna Andhra @ 2047 plan, which targets rapid economic growth, upskilling, and industrial modernisations. The center serves as an ideal anchor for high-level digital leadership training, helping Indian businesses integrate global standards of AI safety and governance.
Alignment with the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
This bilateral initiative directly supports the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between India and Singapore. In September 2024, the two countries elevated their bilateral relations to a CSP and subsequently adopted a comprehensive roadmap in September 2025. The roadmap focuses on eight core pillars of cooperation, including economic ties, sustainability, connectivity, and defence. The digital training programme directly addresses the Digitalisation and Skills Development pillars.
By focusing on these areas, the partnership helps bridge technology governance standards between the two nations. Singapore is widely recognised as a global leader in AI governance, and the exchange of expertise through the National University of Singapore helps India build its own governance structures. Cooperation in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing serves as a primary pillar of the digitalisation agenda, supporting the development of a future-ready corporate workforce.
Overview of Partnering Institutions
The collaboration combines the industry reach of India’s premier business association with the technical expertise of a leading Singaporean academic institution.
Confederation of Indian Industry
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a non-governmental, industry-led organisation that works to create an environment conducive to the growth of businesses in India. Founded in 1895 as the Engineering and Iron Trades Association, the body underwent multiple mergers and reorganisations before adopting its current name in 1992. Headquartered in New Delhi, CII plays a vital role in policy advocacy and corporate governance. For the 2026 to 2027 term, R. Mukundan, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tata Chemicals, serves as the CII President.
NUS Institute of Systems Science
The National University of Singapore Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) is a specialised technology school established in Singapore. Founded in 1981 under the leadership of its parent university, the institute is headquartered in Singapore. Under its current Chief Executive Officer, Khoong Chan Meng, NUS-ISS provides practice-based education, consultancy, and applied research in digital leadership, cybersecurity, and data science. The institute plays a key role in supporting Singapore’s national digital transformation strategies, such as the Smart Nation initiative.
Key Takeaways
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) signed an MoU with the National University of Singapore Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) to launch the Leadership Programme on Artificial Intelligence and Governance.
- The programme will be anchored at the CII Global Leadership Centre in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, which was officially announced in January 2025.
- The joint initiative targets training over 100 executives by the end of 2026, following pilot runs that trained more than 65 Indian executives.
- The partnership aligns with the Digitalisation and Skills Development pillars of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in New Delhi, with R. Mukundan serving as President for the 2026 to 2027 term.
- The NUS Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) was founded in 1981 in Singapore, and its current Chief Executive Officer is Khoong Chan Meng.
