Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announces a new set of initiatives aimed at expanding AI education, research and infrastructure. The state plans to establish what multiple outlets describe as India’s first government-driven AI university. Speaking at the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event in Bengaluru, Shivakumar says the university is intended to develop AI talent, support research, and strengthen collaboration among academia, industry and government.
Alongside the university, Karnataka also announces an AI Innovation Hub, described as an incubation centre to support AI research and development by startups, companies and other stakeholders. Several reports add that the state is pursuing related infrastructure steps, including a data-centre policy and the creation of “green” data centres to support AI-led growth and enable hyperscale computing and other next-generation digital services.
The proposals are framed as part of a broader strategy for Karnataka to become an “AI-native state,” where AI is used responsibly across sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, governance and support for small businesses. The announcements also cite Karnataka’s existing role in India’s technology ecosystem and ongoing partnership with Google.
