Karnataka Approves ₹35 Cr AI Hub at IIIT Bangalore

The Karnataka government has approved a ₹35 crore Karnataka Artificial Intelligence Hub at the International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIIT-B), bringing together AI skilling, startup support and research as the state works towards setting up a proposed AI university.

The state Cabinet approved the AI Hub on September 9. Electronics, IT/BT and Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the Hub would serve as part of the foundation for the university.

“Karnataka is laying the foundation for its AI University with the proposed Karnataka Artificial Intelligence Hub at IIIT Bangalore, Kharge wrote in a post on X. “With an outlay of ₹35 crore, the Hub will bring together AI skilling, startup support and advanced research on one integrated platform.”

The facility will provide practical training, internships, mentorship, real-world case studies and modular programmes for students, fresh graduates and job seekers. The Hub will also provide seed funding, incubation support and access to technical facilities.

Kharge said the Hub will offer industry-aligned certification and finishing-school programmes for students, graduates and job seekers. 

The initiative will include an AI Living Lab with compute infrastructure and real-world testbeds. The facility is expected to allow researchers, startups, industry and government bodies to develop and validate AI applications in practical settings.

The AI Hub is planned as an initial platform ahead of the proposed AI University. 

The AI University was announced earlier this year by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as part of Karnataka’s broader plan to build an education and research ecosystem around AI

The government has described it as India’s first government-driven AI university, bringing together talent development, research and collaboration between academia, industry and government.