Sonata Software, a global leader in modernization engineering, has joined hands with the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School to drive new research and industry dialogue in the area of agentic artificial intelligence. This partnership aims to bridge academic insights with real-world enterprise applications of next-generation AI systems.
Under the agreement, Sonata Software and the World Association of Intelligent Artificial Intelligence (WAIAI) will collaborate to assess the development and deployment of agentic AI systems. The partnership will emphasize critical areas such as responsible governance, human-AI collaboration, regulatory compliance, and the safe integration of these systems within enterprise environments.
A key focus of the collaboration will be to enhance the modular architecture of Sonata’s AgentBridge platform. Both organizations aim to ensure that the platform upholds the highest standards of ethical integrity while aligning with global compliance and governance frameworks. This will further strengthen AgentBridge’s capabilities as a responsible AI solution for large-scale enterprise applications.
In addition, Sonata Software will lend its technological and domain expertise to support WAIAI’s ongoing research initiatives in artificial intelligence. This support will contribute to advancing the understanding and practical application of ethical AI across industries and regions.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to developing AI responsibly, promoting trust, transparency, and safety in AI systems while fostering innovation that benefits businesses and society alike. The collaboration will include a one-day academic gathering in Fall 2025, where leaders from academia and industry will engage in discussions, demonstrations, and roundtables centered around the responsible implementation of agentic AI. The key takeaways will form the basis of a white paper outlining strategic recommendations for the ethical use of AI in business.
Samir Dhir, MD & CEO of Sonata Software, stated “Our partnership with Wharton reflects our long-term focus on building responsible and scalable AI solutions for global enterprises. Working with leading academic minds helps us refine our technologies and understand the evolving needs of digital organizations.”
This marks Sonata Software’s first strategic partnership with an Ivy League institution in the U.S., further strengthening its global AI leadership. Earlier, the company partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to enable AI-driven scientific research and promote ethical AI practices.
Sonata Software, a $1 billion enterprise, is a modernization engineering firm focused on helping businesses transform through its proprietary Platformation.AI approach. It delivers digital modernization services across cloud, data, automation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies like generative AI and Microsoft Fabric.
Its flagship offerings include Harmoni.AI, a responsible-first AI platform embedding ethics, privacy, and compliance into industry use cases, and AgentBridge, a cutting-edge agentic AI framework that enables intelligent and scalable enterprise systems.
With headquarters in Bengaluru and a presence across North America, Europe, APAC, and ANZ, Sonata works with Fortune 500 companies in sectors including BFSI, healthcare, telecom, retail, and manufacturing. It holds key partnerships with Microsoft (including the AI Partner Council), AWS (Generative AI Competency), and is a founding partner in Microsoft Fabric initiatives.
WAIAI leads the Wharton School’s efforts to explore the transformative impact of AI and analytics in business and society. Directed by Professor Eric Bradlow, the initiative supports interdisciplinary research, innovative student learning, and collaborations with leading companies. WAIAI also promotes AI education at the K-12 level, ensuring future generations are equipped to harness the power of AI effectively.
