Karnataka to Set Up India’s First Government AI University, Unveils Ambitious Tech Vision
The state plans a dedicated AI University, AI Hub and school level AI education to strengthen Karnataka's position as India's leading technology destination.
Karnataka will establish India’s first government run Artificial Intelligence University as part of a major push to strengthen research, innovation and AI talent development, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced on Tuesday.
The announcement was made while inaugurating Google I O Connect India 2026 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre in Bengaluru.
The proposed university will be built on a 100 acre campus in Bengaluru, with regional centres planned in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi Dharwad, Mangaluru and Mysuru. The institution will focus on producing skilled AI professionals, promoting advanced research and encouraging collaboration between educational institutions, industries and the government.
A dedicated AI Hub will also be established within the university. The hub will serve as a centre for research, innovation and startup incubation, bringing together companies, academic institutions and entrepreneurs to develop AI based solutions and build a globally competitive ecosystem. The initiative is expected to attract fresh investments and reinforce Karnataka’s leadership in responsible AI development.
Although the exact location of the university has not been finalised, the government is considering either the proposed KWIN City near Kempegowda International Airport in Doddaballapura or the upcoming AI City located about 30 kilometres from Bengaluru. The larger project is expected to attract investments exceeding Rs 20,000 crore and will include IT and AI companies, smart infrastructure and skill development centres.
Calling Artificial Intelligence the defining technology of the current era, Shivakumar said the government’s vision is to make Karnataka an AI native state by integrating AI into governance and public services.
He said AI should help teachers improve learning, enable doctors to detect diseases earlier, provide better guidance to farmers, make government services faster and more accessible and help small businesses compete more effectively.
To prepare young people for the future, the chief minister announced plans to introduce AI education from Class VI in schools. The curriculum will focus on building foundational AI skills and improving students’ future career opportunities. The government also plans to use generative AI to improve the efficiency of public service delivery.
Highlighting Karnataka’s strong technology ecosystem, Shivakumar said the state contributes nearly 40 percent of India’s software exports. Bengaluru is home to more than 17,000 startups, thousands of Global Capability Centres and almost 40 percent of the country’s unicorn startups.
He said Bengaluru’s recognition as one of the world’s top five AI cities reflects Karnataka’s talent, innovation and entrepreneurial culture. He added that the state’s long term goal is to become the AI Capital of India.
The chief minister also announced continued investments in digital infrastructure, including new data centres to support AI research, cloud computing and advanced computing technologies.
Inviting Google to deepen its partnership with Karnataka, Shivakumar encouraged the company to collaborate on AI projects in education, healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, urban mobility and governance. He also called on Google to support startups, expand AI education programmes and invest in the state’s proposed green data centres in Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
Google currently employs more than 18,000 people in India, with around 12,000 of them based in Bengaluru.
Concluding his address, Shivakumar urged developers, entrepreneurs, researchers and students to work together to ensure AI remains responsible, inclusive and beneficial for society while continuing Karnataka’s legacy of technological leadership.