The Chief Minister of Karnataka, D. K. Shivakumar, announced on Tuesday plans to establish the first state university in India specializing in artificial intelligence. This decision confirms the state's ambition to become a global leader in responsible AI innovation.
Furthermore, the creation of an AI hub was announced, which will function as an incubation center to support AI research and development, providing opportunities for startups, companies, and other market participants.
These announcements were made during the opening of Google I/O Connect India 2026, which gathered technology leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, developers, researchers, and policymakers from both India and around the world.
Shivakumar emphasized that the proposed university will play a key role in training world-class AI specialists, advancing scientific research, and strengthening ties between academia, industry, and government.
He compared artificial intelligence to other revolutionary technologies of its generation, such as the steam engine, electricity, the internet, and mobile technologies, calling AI the defining technological revolution of modern times.
The Chief Minister noted: 'Bengaluru is not just India's tech capital, but one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the world. Karnataka's vision is to create one of the world's leading centers for responsible artificial intelligence.'
According to Shivakumar, Karnataka currently accounts for about 40 percent of India's software exports, and Bengaluru is home to over 17,000 startups and thousands of Global Capability Centers that develop and design products for the global market.
The state's initial goal is to transform into an AI-focused state where artificial intelligence is used responsibly to improve governance and daily life, rather than remaining just a technological slogan.
He stated that AI should help teachers teach more effectively, doctors diagnose diseases earlier, farmers receive better advice, citizens access government services with dignity and speed, and small businesses compete confidently.
The CM highly praised Google's long-term partnership with Karnataka, noting that the company has chosen Bengaluru as one of its most important global centers for engineering, research, and innovation for over two decades.
It was mentioned that Google's products, including Search, Android, YouTube, Maps, Chrome, Gmail, and Google Pay, have changed how Indians access knowledge, conduct business, and interact with government services.
He said that Karnataka will continue to strengthen its position as India's technology hub by expanding its digital infrastructure, including data centers, to support innovations in AI, cloud computing, and next-generation digital services.
The government aims to form a robust ecosystem that supports AI research, high-scale computing, and Global Capability Centers (GCCs), positioning Karnataka as one of the world's leading centers for responsible AI.
Calling for enhanced partnership, Shivakumar invited Google to collaborate with Karnataka on creating AI solutions for education, healthcare, agriculture, climate change resilience, urban mobility, and governance. He outlined five key areas for such cooperation: developing AI tools for education, healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses; supporting startups solving Indian problems at scale; expanding AI learning opportunities for students across Karnataka; transforming the state into a global laboratory for responsible technologies; and deepening Google's commitment as a long-term ecosystem partner.
Highlighting Karnataka's culture of innovation, the Chief Minister said that technological revolutions begin with curiosity and the willingness to ask the question: 'What if we could do it differently?' He urged developers to 'build boldly,' entrepreneurs to 'dream big,' researchers to continue innovating, and students never to stop learning, adding that Karnataka will continue to shape the future of technology while ensuring that AI remains innovative, inclusive, and trustworthy.
