Karnataka to set up AI University, to roll out tech expansion policy in 100 days
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar told industry leaders that his government will build an AI University and expand tech infrastructure beyond Bengaluru within 100 days. The push signals a broader strategy to spread investment, talent and digital growth across the state.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said the state government will expand world-class infrastructure beyond Bengaluru, set up an AI University with industry participation, and roll out new policies to strengthen the technology ecosystem. He also asked industry leaders to work with the government in shaping Karnataka’s next phase of growth.
Addressing CEOs at a breakfast meeting, Shivakumar said Bengaluru’s biggest strength lies in its talent pool and innovation ecosystem, and credited the city’s rise as India’s technology capital to the people and companies based there.
"You are the ambassadors of Bengaluru. You are the ambassadors of Karnataka," he told industry leaders, adding that many who came to the city decades ago stayed because of the opportunities and talent it offers.
Among those present at the meeting were IT/BT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, MLA and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited Chairman Sharath Bache Gowda, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, and senior bureaucrats.
Highlighting Karnataka’s economic performance, Shivakumar said software exports had crossed Rs 4.36 lakh crore and were expected to go beyond Rs 5.5 lakh crore this year. "Behind every number is a young engineer getting a first job, a developer solving problems, and a family moving closer to its dreams," he said in a release.
He added that the state’s Global Capability Centres had moved beyond back-office work to become hubs of innovation, product development and high-value work.
Recalling his interactions with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Shivakumar said companies continued to prefer Bengaluru for its talent, ecosystem and cost advantages. "Many states are competing, but companies tell us that if it costs them USD 3.50 elsewhere, they can achieve the same here at nearly USD 1 because of Bengaluru’s talent, ecosystem and human capital," he said.
He announced that within the next 100 days, the government would bring in a policy to encourage industries to set up operations outside Bengaluru by offering world-class office infrastructure at highly affordable costs, including office space in other Karnataka cities for as little as fifty cents per square foot.
He said the government had already introduced new IT, Space Technology and Startup policies focused on DeepTech, digital infrastructure, research, industry-academia collaboration and entrepreneurship, and that Karnataka had also launched its Quantum Roadmap to speed up the commercialisation of emerging technologies. Shivakumar also said the state was building an AI University in partnership with industry.
"Yesterday, we had detailed discussions with Google on this initiative. We don’t want the government alone to build it. We want to partner with industry. You should take the lead, and the government will stand beside you," he said. The university, he said, would be a centre for learning, innovation, collaboration and public digital access, with a vision to introduce AI education to rural students from Class 6 onwards.
Shivakumar also announced the Bengaluru Robotics and Innovation Zone and the Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026-31, aimed at creating environmentally sustainable digital infrastructure supported by land, power, water, connectivity and renewable energy. Stressing balanced regional development, he said growth should not remain limited to Bengaluru.
"Bengaluru is our crown, but Karnataka is our heart," he said, adding that Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Belagavi should emerge as major technology and investment destinations.
The Chief Minister urged companies to adopt one government school each under their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes to improve infrastructure, classrooms, teacher training and learning outcomes.
"We spend over Rs 1 lakh per child in government education. Yet we still have teacher vacancies. Government alone cannot do everything. We need your partnership," he said, adding that healthcare would be the next focus after education. He also acknowledged Bengaluru’s infrastructure and mobility challenges and said the government was addressing them seriously.
Referring to the Bengaluru Tech Summit, scheduled from November 17 to 19 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, he invited CEOs to take part actively, calling it "not just a conference, but a platform for policy, partnerships and outcomes".
Shivakumar said the government remained open to suggestions from industry and reaffirmed its focus on lasting partnerships.
"We are not looking for short-term investments; we are looking for long-term partnerships. We want to grow with you. If you are strong, Karnataka is strong," he said, summing up the state’s push to expand technology-led growth beyond Bengaluru while building new institutions and support systems with industry participation.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said the state government will expand world-class infrastructure beyond Bengaluru, set up an AI University with industry participation, and roll out new policies to strengthen the technology ecosystem. He also asked industry leaders to work with the government in shaping Karnataka’s next phase of growth.
Addressing CEOs at a breakfast meeting, Shivakumar said Bengaluru’s biggest strength lies in its talent pool and innovation ecosystem, and credited the city’s rise as India’s technology capital to the people and companies based there.
"You are the ambassadors of Bengaluru. You are the ambassadors of Karnataka," he told industry leaders, adding that many who came to the city decades ago stayed because of the opportunities and talent it offers.
Among those present at the meeting were IT/BT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, MLA and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited Chairman Sharath Bache Gowda, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, and senior bureaucrats.
Highlighting Karnataka’s economic performance, Shivakumar said software exports had crossed Rs 4.36 lakh crore and were expected to go beyond Rs 5.5 lakh crore this year. "Behind every number is a young engineer getting a first job, a developer solving problems, and a family moving closer to its dreams," he said in a release.
He added that the state’s Global Capability Centres had moved beyond back-office work to become hubs of innovation, product development and high-value work.
Recalling his interactions with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Shivakumar said companies continued to prefer Bengaluru for its talent, ecosystem and cost advantages. "Many states are competing, but companies tell us that if it costs them USD 3.50 elsewhere, they can achieve the same here at nearly USD 1 because of Bengaluru’s talent, ecosystem and human capital," he said.
He announced that within the next 100 days, the government would bring in a policy to encourage industries to set up operations outside Bengaluru by offering world-class office infrastructure at highly affordable costs, including office space in other Karnataka cities for as little as fifty cents per square foot.
He said the government had already introduced new IT, Space Technology and Startup policies focused on DeepTech, digital infrastructure, research, industry-academia collaboration and entrepreneurship, and that Karnataka had also launched its Quantum Roadmap to speed up the commercialisation of emerging technologies. Shivakumar also said the state was building an AI University in partnership with industry.
"Yesterday, we had detailed discussions with Google on this initiative. We don’t want the government alone to build it. We want to partner with industry. You should take the lead, and the government will stand beside you," he said. The university, he said, would be a centre for learning, innovation, collaboration and public digital access, with a vision to introduce AI education to rural students from Class 6 onwards.
Shivakumar also announced the Bengaluru Robotics and Innovation Zone and the Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026-31, aimed at creating environmentally sustainable digital infrastructure supported by land, power, water, connectivity and renewable energy. Stressing balanced regional development, he said growth should not remain limited to Bengaluru.
"Bengaluru is our crown, but Karnataka is our heart," he said, adding that Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Belagavi should emerge as major technology and investment destinations.
The Chief Minister urged companies to adopt one government school each under their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes to improve infrastructure, classrooms, teacher training and learning outcomes.
"We spend over Rs 1 lakh per child in government education. Yet we still have teacher vacancies. Government alone cannot do everything. We need your partnership," he said, adding that healthcare would be the next focus after education. He also acknowledged Bengaluru’s infrastructure and mobility challenges and said the government was addressing them seriously.
Referring to the Bengaluru Tech Summit, scheduled from November 17 to 19 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, he invited CEOs to take part actively, calling it "not just a conference, but a platform for policy, partnerships and outcomes".
Shivakumar said the government remained open to suggestions from industry and reaffirmed its focus on lasting partnerships.
"We are not looking for short-term investments; we are looking for long-term partnerships. We want to grow with you. If you are strong, Karnataka is strong," he said, summing up the state’s push to expand technology-led growth beyond Bengaluru while building new institutions and support systems with industry participation.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said the state government will expand world-class infrastructure beyond Bengaluru, set up an AI University with industry participation, and roll out new policies to strengthen the technology ecosystem. He also asked industry leaders to work with the government in shaping Karnataka’s next phase of growth.
Addressing CEOs at a breakfast meeting, Shivakumar said Bengaluru’s biggest strength lies in its talent pool and innovation ecosystem, and credited the city’s rise as India’s technology capital to the people and companies based there.
"You are the ambassadors of Bengaluru. You are the ambassadors of Karnataka," he told industry leaders, adding that many who came to the city decades ago stayed because of the opportunities and talent it offers.
Among those present at the meeting were IT/BT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge, MLA and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited Chairman Sharath Bache Gowda, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, and senior bureaucrats.
Highlighting Karnataka’s economic performance, Shivakumar said software exports had crossed Rs 4.36 lakh crore and were expected to go beyond Rs 5.5 lakh crore this year. "Behind every number is a young engineer getting a first job, a developer solving problems, and a family moving closer to its dreams," he said in a release.
He added that the state’s Global Capability Centres had moved beyond back-office work to become hubs of innovation, product development and high-value work.
Recalling his interactions with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Shivakumar said companies continued to prefer Bengaluru for its talent, ecosystem and cost advantages. "Many states are competing, but companies tell us that if it costs them USD 3.50 elsewhere, they can achieve the same here at nearly USD 1 because of Bengaluru’s talent, ecosystem and human capital," he said.
He announced that within the next 100 days, the government would bring in a policy to encourage industries to set up operations outside Bengaluru by offering world-class office infrastructure at highly affordable costs, including office space in other Karnataka cities for as little as fifty cents per square foot.
He said the government had already introduced new IT, Space Technology and Startup policies focused on DeepTech, digital infrastructure, research, industry-academia collaboration and entrepreneurship, and that Karnataka had also launched its Quantum Roadmap to speed up the commercialisation of emerging technologies. Shivakumar also said the state was building an AI University in partnership with industry.
"Yesterday, we had detailed discussions with Google on this initiative. We don’t want the government alone to build it. We want to partner with industry. You should take the lead, and the government will stand beside you," he said. The university, he said, would be a centre for learning, innovation, collaboration and public digital access, with a vision to introduce AI education to rural students from Class 6 onwards.
Shivakumar also announced the Bengaluru Robotics and Innovation Zone and the Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026-31, aimed at creating environmentally sustainable digital infrastructure supported by land, power, water, connectivity and renewable energy. Stressing balanced regional development, he said growth should not remain limited to Bengaluru.
"Bengaluru is our crown, but Karnataka is our heart," he said, adding that Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Belagavi should emerge as major technology and investment destinations.
The Chief Minister urged companies to adopt one government school each under their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes to improve infrastructure, classrooms, teacher training and learning outcomes.
"We spend over Rs 1 lakh per child in government education. Yet we still have teacher vacancies. Government alone cannot do everything. We need your partnership," he said, adding that healthcare would be the next focus after education. He also acknowledged Bengaluru’s infrastructure and mobility challenges and said the government was addressing them seriously.
Referring to the Bengaluru Tech Summit, scheduled from November 17 to 19 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, he invited CEOs to take part actively, calling it "not just a conference, but a platform for policy, partnerships and outcomes".
Shivakumar said the government remained open to suggestions from industry and reaffirmed its focus on lasting partnerships.
"We are not looking for short-term investments; we are looking for long-term partnerships. We want to grow with you. If you are strong, Karnataka is strong," he said, summing up the state’s push to expand technology-led growth beyond Bengaluru while building new institutions and support systems with industry participation.
