Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced that the state will establish India’s first government-led Artificial Intelligence (AI) University along with a dedicated AI Hub to strengthen research, innovation and skill development in emerging technologies.
The announcement was made while inaugurating Google I/O Connect India 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The initiative is part of Karnataka’s broader vision to position itself as a global centre for AI innovation and technology-driven growth.
AI University to Drive Research and Talent Development
The proposed AI University will focus on developing skilled professionals, promoting advanced research and encouraging collaboration between academic institutions, industry and the government.
Alongside the university, the state will establish an AI Hub that will serve as an innovation and incubation centre. The facility will support startups, technology companies, researchers and entrepreneurs working on artificial intelligence solutions, helping accelerate the development and commercialisation of new technologies.
Vision of an AI-Native Karnataka
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Shivakumar described artificial intelligence as one of the most transformative technologies of the current era. He said Karnataka aims to become an “AI-native State”, where AI is integrated into governance to improve the delivery of public services.
He highlighted the potential of AI to enhance education, strengthen healthcare, provide better advisory services to farmers, simplify access to government services and help small businesses become more competitive in the digital economy.
Building on Karnataka’s Technology Ecosystem
The Chief Minister noted that Karnataka continues to be a major contributor to India’s technology sector, accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s software exports. Bengaluru, he said, has emerged as one of the world’s leading technology hubs with more than 17,000 startups and a large concentration of Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
To support the next phase of digital growth, the government plans to further strengthen technology infrastructure, including data centres and advanced computing facilities required for AI and cloud-based innovation.
Call for Stronger Industry Collaboration
Inviting Google to deepen its engagement with Karnataka, Shivakumar called for greater collaboration in developing AI solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, urban mobility and governance.
He also encouraged the company to support the startup ecosystem, expand AI learning opportunities for students and contribute to building Karnataka as a global destination for responsible and inclusive AI innovation.
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Strengthening India’s AI Ecosystem
The proposed AI University and AI Hub reflect Karnataka’s commitment to preparing a future-ready workforce and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies. By bringing together academia, industry and government, the state aims to create a robust ecosystem that supports research, innovation and entrepreneurship while ensuring that AI is developed and deployed responsibly for the benefit of society.