en.Wedoany.com Reported - Karnataka will establish India's first state government-led Artificial Intelligence university, as announced by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Google I/O Connect India 2026, aiming to solidify the state's global position in responsible AI innovation.
Shivakumar also announced the establishment of an AI Hub by the state government, serving as an incubation center for startups, companies, and other organizations to conduct AI research and development. He made these remarks while attending and inaugurating the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event, which brought together technology leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, developers, researchers, and policymakers from India and around the world.
The university will be tasked with nurturing local AI talent, advancing related research, and strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Shivakumar described artificial intelligence as the most defining technological revolution of our time, with transformative impact comparable to the steam engine, electricity, the internet, and mobile technology. He stated that Bengaluru is not only India's technology capital but also one of the world's most dynamic innovation ecosystems, and Karnataka's vision is to become one of the world's leading hubs for responsible artificial intelligence.
According to Shivakumar, Karnataka currently contributes nearly 40% of India's software exports, while Bengaluru is home to over 17,000 startups and thousands of global capability centers that design and engineer products for global markets. The state's primary goal is to become an AI-native state, using artificial intelligence responsibly to improve governance and daily life. He emphasized that AI must help teachers teach better, doctors diagnose diseases earlier, farmers access better advisory services, citizens receive government services with dignity and speed, and small businesses compete confidently.
Shivakumar praised Google's long-term partnership with Karnataka, noting that the company has chosen Bengaluru as one of its most important global engineering, research, and innovation centers for over two decades. Google's products, including Search, Android, YouTube, Maps, Chrome, Gmail, and Google Pay, have transformed how Indians access knowledge, conduct business, and interact with government services.
Karnataka will support AI innovation, cloud computing, and next-generation digital services by expanding digital infrastructure, including data centers, to strengthen its position as India's technology hub. The government aims to build a robust ecosystem that supports AI research, hyperscale computing, and global capability centers, positioning the state as one of the world's leading hubs for responsible artificial intelligence.
Calling for enhanced collaboration, Shivakumar invited Google to join hands with Karnataka to build AI solutions in education, healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, urban mobility, and governance. He outlined five key areas of cooperation: developing AI tools for education, healthcare, agriculture, and small and medium enterprises; supporting startups in solving India's challenges at scale; expanding AI learning opportunities for Karnataka students; making the state a global laboratory for responsible technology; and deepening Google's commitment as a long-term ecosystem partner.
The Chief Minister emphasized Karnataka's culture of innovation-driven progress, stating that technological revolutions begin with curiosity and the willingness to ask, "What if we could do this differently?" He urged developers to build boldly, entrepreneurs to aim high, researchers to continue innovating, and students to never stop learning, adding that Karnataka will continue to shape the future of technology while ensuring AI remains innovative, inclusive, and trustworthy.
