Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, July 14: Karnataka will establish India's first government-run Artificial Intelligence (AI) University along with a state-of-the-art AI Hub to accelerate research, innovation and talent development in the sector, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced while inaugurating Google I/O Connect India 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) on Tuesday.
The proposed AI University will be developed on a 100-acre campus in Bengaluru, with regional centres planned in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Mysuru. The university will focus on building world-class AI talent, promoting advanced research and strengthening collaboration between academia, industry and government.
The AI University will house a dedicated AI Hub, which will serve as an incubation and research centre, bringing together startups, educational institutions, companies and other stakeholders to develop AI solutions, undertake research and create a globally competitive AI ecosystem. The initiative is also aimed at attracting investments and strengthening Karnataka's position as a hub for responsible AI innovation.
While Shivakumar did not reveal the exact location of the university, it is expected to come up either in the proposed 5,800-acre KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation) City near Kempegowda International Airport at Doddaballapura or in the upcoming 9,600-acre AI City, located around 30 km from Bengaluru. The mega project, estimated to involve investments of over Rs 20,000 crore, is planned to house IT and AI companies, smart infrastructure and skilling centres.
Describing Artificial Intelligence as the defining technological revolution of the present generation, Shivakumar said Karnataka's goal is to become an "AI-native State", where AI is integrated into governance to improve public services and enhance the lives of citizens.
"AI must help teachers teach better, doctors diagnose diseases earlier, farmers receive better advisory services, citizens access government services with dignity and speed, and small businesses compete confidently," he said.
To prepare students for an AI-driven future, the chief minister announced plans to introduce an AI curriculum from Class VI in schools to provide foundational AI skills and improve future employability. He also said the government would integrate generative AI into governance to make public service delivery more efficient.
Highlighting Karnataka's leadership in the technology sector, Shivakumar said the state contributes nearly 40% of India's software exports, while Bengaluru is home to over 17,000 startups, thousands of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and nearly 40% of India's unicorn startups.
"Bengaluru's emergence as one of the world's top five AI cities and the home of nearly 40% of India's unicorn startups is a testament to Karnataka's talent, innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial spirit. While we take pride in these achievements, our vision is far greater. We are committed to making Karnataka the AI Capital of India," he said.
The chief minister also announced that Karnataka would continue strengthening digital infrastructure, including data centres, to support AI innovation, cloud computing and advanced computing capabilities.
Seeking a deeper partnership with Google, Shivakumar praised the company's more than two decades of investment in Karnataka and invited it to collaborate on AI-based solutions in education, healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, urban mobility and governance. He also urged Google to support startups, expand AI learning opportunities for students and invest in the state's proposed green data centres in Mangaluru and Bengaluru.
Google currently employs more than 18,000 professionals in India, with around 12,000 based in Bengaluru.
Calling on developers, entrepreneurs, researchers and students to drive the next phase of innovation, Shivakumar urged them to ensure that AI remains responsible, inclusive and trusted.
"Together, let us make Karnataka one of the largest laboratories for Google. To every developer here, build boldly. To every entrepreneur, dream big. For every researcher, keep innovating. For every student, never stop learning. Karnataka has always helped to shape the future of technology. Together, let us build a future that is innovative, inclusive and trusted," he said, concluding with, "Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka, Jai Google."