Karnataka budget: AI takes centre stage as Siddaramaiah unveils digital push across sectors

• Karnataka budget emphasizes AI in education, agriculture, governance
• AI-powered digital tutor to benefit 12.28 lakh students
• New AI courses, data labs, and Centres of Excellence announced

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a key focus area in the Karnataka budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on March 6, with government announcing a series of initiatives aimed at integrating advanced technologies across agriculture, education, governance and startup ecosystem.

“Karnataka plays a distinctive role in national and international trade. Rapid developments in Artificial Intelligence are transforming global production systems. Innovations in science and technology are increasingly shaping the trajectory of our state,” Siddaramaiah said.

AI push in education and skills

In collaboration with IIT Dharwad, the government will introduce a personalised self-learning digital tutor using AI technology for around 12.28 lakh students from Classes 8 to 12 at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.

Fifteen new courses with high demand and employment potential, including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Mining Engineering and Automation Engineering, will be introduced in 11 government polytechnics and at the Government Engineering College in Chitradurga.

In addition, 250 engineering graduates from backward classes will receive loans of Rs 2 lakh each through the D Devaraj Urs Development Corporation to undergo AI training at institutions such as NITs, IITs and IIMs to enhance their technical skills.

Modern AI Data Labs will also be established in 50 government colleges in tier-2 and tier-3 cities with a grant of Rs 10 crore. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Centre’s AI Mission and aims to improve employability among rural youth by providing them with relevant digital skills.

Strengthening Karnataka’s AI ecosystem

The CM said Karnataka has moved up from 21st position to 14th in the global startup ecosystem and is now home to more than 18,000 active startups. Bengaluru has also been ranked fifth among the world’s top 50 cities in the field of AI and Big Data.

To further strengthen the AI ecosystem, several initiatives have been proposed. AI and Robotics Technology Park (ART-PARK) under the Indian Institute of Science will establish a robotics and AI campus called the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone (BRAINz) in collaboration with ISRO and Keonics.

A Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence will also be set up at IIIT Raichur at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

In addition, two Centres of Excellence for AI will be established in Bengaluru in collaboration with the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms and NASSCOM at a total cost of Rs 16 crore. These centres aim to support advanced research, innovation and industry collaboration in emerging technologies.

AI initiatives in agriculture and governance

Agriculture Department’s ‘Raitha Kare Kendra’ (Farmer Call Centre) will be upgraded using AI technology to provide farmers with quick access to reliable information on weather, markets, agricultural technology and departmental updates through a single platform.

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department’s helpline (1967) will be transformed into an AI-based ‘Smart Annavani’ system comprising an automated grievance redressal centre, voice chatbot and live call transfer system.

The government also plans to develop Kaveri 3.0 software at a cost of Rs 65 crore to address issues in the existing Kaveri platform and further simplify the property registration process. The upgraded system will enable an AI-based paperless registration process and will be integrated with asset management systems across departments.

An AI-based facial recognition attendance system will be implemented in anganwadis, schools, colleges and hostels across the state. The daily attendance details of beneficiaries will also be made publicly available.