Karnataka will set up India’s first government-sponsored AI university in Bengaluru, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Tuesday.
Announcing the initiative at the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event in Bengaluru, he said the university will promote advanced research in the field of artificial intelligence and create closer collaboration between educational institutions, industry and government.
“Our vision is to make Karnataka an AI indigenous state and integrate AI into governance and public service delivery,” he said.
The proposed university forms part of a broader strategy to deploy artificial intelligence in education, healthcare, agriculture, public services and small enterprises. “AI-assisted teaching will transform education. Early detection of diseases and better medical support will enhance healthcare. Farmers will receive AI-based advisory services. Government services will become faster and more convenient for citizens, while small businesses will improve their competitiveness using AI tools,” the Prime Minister said.
Shivakumar described artificial intelligence as the defining technology of the present, and compared its potential impact with previous discoveries that have transformed industry, cities and communications. He said: “Every generation inherits a single technology that changes the course of human civilization. The steam engine transformed industry. Electricity reshaped cities. The Internet transformed communication. Mobile technology made everything accessible to everyone. Today, artificial intelligence promises to transform human capability itself.”
Karnataka’s technology ecosystem has positioned the state to shape this future, he added. Citing Swami Vivekananda’s advice that “Embrace one idea. Make that idea your life,” he said Karnataka has embraced innovation as its distinct mission.
According to Shivakumar, the state accounts for 40% of India’s software exports, Bengaluru has been home to over 17,000 startups, and thousands of global capability centers have set up their operations in the state.
Shivakumar also called on Google to deepen its partnership with the state, saying the government wants to apply artificial intelligence to address traffic congestion in Bengaluru. “Twenty-five years ago, Bengaluru had a population of 7 million. Today, the number has risen to 14 million, and we are looking for solutions to manage this growth,” he said.
