Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of Karnataka revealed plans to set up India’s inaugural government-backed Artificial Intelligence University, aiming to position the state as a global leader in responsible AI advancement. Additionally, an AI Hub will be established to serve as an incubation center for research and development, fostering collaboration among startups, companies, academic institutions, and innovators to expedite AI-driven solutions.
During the inauguration of Google I/O Connect India 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Shivakumar emphasized the pivotal role the proposed AI University will play in nurturing top-tier AI talent, encouraging advanced research, and facilitating partnerships between academia, industry, and government. He highlighted Artificial Intelligence as the defining technological revolution of this era, likening its impact to historical innovations like the steam engine, electricity, the Internet, and mobile technology.
Karnataka’s vision is to establish a premier hub for responsible Artificial Intelligence, leveraging Bengaluru’s status as not only India’s tech capital but also a thriving innovation ecosystem on a global scale. The state boasts significant technological prowess, contributing nearly 40% of India’s software exports, hosting over 17,000 startups, and numerous Global Capability Centres (GCCs) that develop products for international markets.
The government’s objective is to transform Karnataka into an AI-native state by integrating AI into governance and public service delivery. Shivakumar envisions AI enhancing education quality, aiding early disease diagnosis by healthcare professionals, providing improved advisory services to farmers, delivering efficient citizen-centric government services, and empowering small businesses to enhance competitiveness.
Emphasizing the necessity to fortify Karnataka’s digital infrastructure, the Chief Minister proposed expanding data centers, hyperscale computing facilities, and research ecosystems to support AI innovation and next-generation digital services. He commended Google for its enduring partnership with Karnataka, acknowledging the company’s significant contributions in engineering, research, and innovation in Bengaluru.
Inviting Google to deepen its involvement with Karnataka, Shivakumar suggested collaborating on AI solutions for education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance, supporting startups, enhancing educational opportunities for students, and positioning Karnataka as a global hub for responsible AI development. In conclusion, he encouraged developers to innovate boldly, entrepreneurs to dream big, researchers to continue their pursuit of innovation, and students to embrace lifelong learning, affirming Karnataka’s commitment to shaping the future of technology while upholding the principles of innovation, inclusivity, and trust.
