Bengaluru, 14 July (H.S.): Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that the state will establish India's first Government-led Artificial Intelligence (AI) University as part of its vision to transform Karnataka into the country's AI capital.

Speaking after inaugurating the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), the Chief Minister said Bengaluru's emergence as one of the world's top five AI cities and the home to nearly 40 percent of India's unicorn startups reflects Karnataka's strong talent pool, innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial spirit.

He said the state government is implementing several ambitious initiatives to strengthen Karnataka's leadership in artificial intelligence. These include setting up the country's first Government-led AI University and an AI Innovation Hub, introducing AI education from the school level, and developing next-generation green data centres along the Karnataka coast and near Bengaluru to support the growing AI economy.

Under the Beyond Bengaluru initiative, world-class technology hubs will be developed in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi and Kalaburagi, ensuring that global opportunities reach talented youth across every region of the state.

Shivakumar emphasized that technology should never replace humanity but should empower people and improve lives. He said the government is promoting AI-enabled agricultural advisory services in Kannada for farmers, strengthening rural healthcare and transforming education through the effective use of artificial intelligence.

The Chief Minister also announced that under the Government First policy, the Karnataka government will become the first customer for innovative startup solutions, enabling entrepreneurs to build, test and scale their products with confidence.

He expressed confidence that Karnataka would continue to lead the nation through innovation, inclusivity and a clear vision for the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Rakesh Mahadevappa