IIT Delhi SEMICON 2026, Workshop on AI, Quantum & Compound Semiconductors

IIT Delhi hosts SEMICON 2026 mini-workshop on compound semiconductors for AI and quantum applications

New Delhi, September 22, 2026: As India's semiconductor ecosystem grows to more specialised technologies, IIT Delhi has gathered researchers, industry professionals, defence experts and technology specialists to discuss the role of compound semiconductors in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum applications.

A mini-workshop, which was conducted by the QMD Foundation, IIT Delhi, was hosted by SEMICON 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on September 19, 2026. The workshop was conducted as part of the Semiconductor Workforce Development (WFD) theme, and focused on "Compound Semiconductors for AI and Quantum Applications."

The event brought together expertise from academia, defence, space, research organisations and industry -- with discussions ranging from semiconductor devices and quantum communication to workforce development and industrial adoption.

IIT Delhi SEMICON 2026 Workshop -- Key Details

Particular	Details
Institute	IIT Delhi
Organiser	QMD Foundation, IIT Delhi
Event	SEMICON 2026
Workshop Theme	Semiconductor Workforce Development
Topic	Compound Semiconductors for AI & Quantum Applications
Event Date	September 22, 2026
Venue	Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
Focus Areas	AI, quantum technology, photonics, semiconductor devices and workforce development

IIT Delhi published the official news report on September 22, 2026, which is why this is the appropriate publication/news date for the report on the development.

Why Compound Semiconductors Matter For AI And Quantum Technology

The workshop delved into the role of compound semiconductor technologies for AI and quantum applications, ranging from high-efficiency power devices to single-photon sources and detectors. Unlike conventional semiconductor discussions, which tend to focus solely on computing applications, the workshop drew connections between semiconductor technology and several emerging areas, including quantum communication, photonics, AI and high-performance devices.

Why Compound Semiconductors Matter for AI and Quantum Technology

The first technical session featured talks by Dr. Anesh Kumar Sharma, Director, SSPL; Prof. Samaresh Das, IIT Delhi; and Mr. R. K. Bahl, former Group Director, Quantum Technology Group, SAC/ISRO.

Dr. Sharma spoke about compound semiconductor devices and their relevance to strategic and civilian applications. Prof. Das talked about III-V devices for single-photon emitters and detectors, skilled manpower development and the QMD Foundation's role under the National Quantum Mission.

Mr. Bahl spoke about critical technologies for defence and space, including compound-semiconductor-based quantum communication systems.

Panel Talks About India's Compound Semiconductor Ecosystem

In the second session, the topic moved from individual technologies to the larger issue of how India can move these innovations from research laboratories to a wider adoption. The panel discussed the challenges in taking indigenous technologies such as indium phosphide (InP), gallium nitride (GaN) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) from research and development to industrial applications. It also discussed the opportunities in photonics and quantum technologies and the need for skilled professionals and stronger academia-industry collaboration.

Focus On Semiconductor Workforce Development

The workshop's WFD theme added another important dimension: technology development requires people with the specialised skills to design, test and commercialise emerging semiconductor systems.

Participants spoke about the need for skilled manpower development and an ecosystem capable of supporting these advanced semiconductor technologies in India. The institute's official account said participants and industry representatives have positively responded to the efforts around indigenous quantum-device technologies under the National Quantum Mission.

For students and early-career researchers, this convergence of semiconductors, AI and quantum technology also points to research areas that are starting to cross traditional academic boundaries.

Conclusion

The IIT Delhi SEMICON 2026 workshop on compound semiconductors brought together researchers, industry representatives and experts from strategic technology sectors to explore how AI, quantum technologies, photonics and semiconductor engineering can develop alongside each other. Held on September 19, 2026, the workshop focused equally on technology applications and industrial adoption and skilled workforce development. However, it also drew attention to the challenge of taking technologies such as InP, GaN and GaAs from R&D environments to a wider industrial adoption. For students, researchers and technology professionals following India's semiconductor and quantum landscape, the event offered a valuable glimpse into where several emerging research domains are beginning to intersect.IIT Delhi Hosts SEMICON 2026 Workshop on Compound Semiconductors for AI and Quantum Applications

New Delhi, September 22, 2026: As India’s semiconductor ecosystem expands into increasingly specialised technologies, IIT Delhi has brought together researchers, industry professionals, defence experts and technology specialists to discuss the role of compound semiconductors in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum applications.

A mini-workshop organised by the QMD Foundation, IIT Delhi, was held during SEMICON 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on September 19, 2026. The workshop was conducted under the Semiconductor Workforce Development (WFD) theme and focused on “Compound Semiconductors for AI and Quantum Applications.”

The event brought together expertise from academia, defence, space, research organisations and industry, with discussions extending from semiconductor devices and quantum communication to workforce development and industrial adoption.

IIT Delhi SEMICON 2026 Workshop: Key Details

IIT Delhi published the official news report on September 22, 2026, making this the appropriate publication/news date for reporting the development.

Why Compound Semiconductors Matter for AI and Quantum Technology

The workshop explored the role of compound semiconductor technologies across both strategic and civilian applications. In his welcome address, Prof. Rajendra Singh, Project Director, QMD T-Hub and Professor in the Department of Physics at IIT Delhi, highlighted applications ranging from high-efficiency power devices to single-photon sources and detectors.

Unlike conventional semiconductor discussions that often centre on computing alone, the workshop connected semiconductor technology with several emerging areas, including quantum communication, photonics, AI and high-performance devices.

IIT Delhi Workshop Brings Academia, Defence and Industry Together

The first technical session featured talks from Dr. Anesh Kumar Sharma, Director, SSPL; Prof. Samaresh Das, IIT Delhi; and Mr. R. K. Bahl, former Group Director, Quantum Technology Group, SAC/ISRO.

Dr. Sharma discussed compound semiconductor devices and their relevance to strategic and civilian applications. Prof. Das addressed III-V devices for single-photon emitters and detectors, skilled manpower development and the QMD Foundation’s role under the National Quantum Mission.

Mr. Bahl focused on critical technologies for defence and space, particularly compound-semiconductor-based quantum communication systems.

Panel Discusses India's Compound Semiconductor Ecosystem

The second session shifted from individual technologies to the larger question of how India can move semiconductor innovations from research laboratories towards wider adoption.

The panel included Dr. Shiv Kumar, Dr. D. S. Rawal, Mr. Anant Naik, Mr. R. K. Bahl and Mr. Ravi Mehta, representing perspectives from technology development, research organisations and industry.

Discussions examined the challenges involved in translating indigenous technologies such as indium phosphide (InP), gallium nitride (GaN) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) from research and development into industrial applications.

The panel also highlighted opportunities in photonics and quantum technologies, alongside the need for skilled professionals and stronger academia-industry collaboration.

Focus on Semiconductor Workforce Development

The workshop's WFD theme added another important dimension: technology development requires people with the specialised skills to design, test and commercialise emerging semiconductor systems.

Participants discussed the need for skilled manpower development and an ecosystem capable of supporting advanced semiconductor technologies in India. The institute's official account said participants and industry representatives responded positively to the efforts around indigenous quantum-device technologies under the National Quantum Mission.

For students and early-career researchers, this intersection of semiconductors, AI and quantum technology also points to research areas that increasingly cross traditional academic boundaries.

Conclusion

The IIT Delhi SEMICON 2026 workshop on compound semiconductors brought together researchers, industry representatives and experts from strategic technology sectors to examine how AI, quantum technologies, photonics and semiconductor engineering can develop alongside one another. Held on September 19, 2026, the workshop placed equal attention on technology applications, industrial adoption and skilled workforce development. Its discussions also highlighted the challenge of moving technologies such as InP, GaN and GaAs from R&D environments towards broader industrial use.

For students, researchers and technology professionals following India's semiconductor and quantum landscape, the event offered a useful snapshot of where several emerging research domains are beginning to converge.

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