Bengaluru: Karnataka will establish India’s first government-led Artificial Intelligence (AI) University as part of its vision to become the country’s AI capital, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced at the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).
The proposed university will anchor a broader AI ecosystem, with the state planning to establish an AI Hub that will bring together startups, industries, academic institutions and researchers to drive innovation, research and AI-based solutions.
Highlighting Karnataka’s technology leadership, Shivakumar said the state contributes around 40% of India’s software exports and is home to over 17,000 startups. “Our goal is to transform Karnataka into the AI capital of India,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to introduce AI education from the school level, establish green data centres in Bengaluru and the coastal region, and develop world-class technology hubs in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi and Kalaburagi.
In a post on X, Shivakumar said technology should empower people rather than replace them. He added that the government would prioritise AI-based services in agriculture, rural healthcare and education, including providing AI-powered agricultural advisory services in Kannada for farmers.
The initiative, he said, reflects Karnataka’s commitment to leading India’s next phase of technological innovation through inclusive and people-centric AI development.
