Karnataka govt clears AI Centre of Excellence in partnership with NASSCOM

AI

• Karnataka approves AI Centre of Excellence with NASSCOM at Bengaluru's KEONICS
• CATS AI CoE to focus on AI, robotics, automation, and digital transformation
• Funding split 40:40:20 between MeitY, Karnataka govt, and industry partners

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Karnataka government on January 22 approved the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI-CoE) in partnership with NASSCOM to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0 innovation and digital transformation across sectors.

The Centre, named CATS (Centre for Applied AI for Tech Solutions), has been approved by the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology. It will be set up at KEONICS facility in HSR Layout, Bengaluru, with a total financial outlay of Rs 20 crore over a four-year period.

Also, read: Karnataka to set up AI Centre of Excellence for public sector innovation in Bengaluru

Funding for the initiative will follow a 40:40:20 model, with contributions from Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Karnataka government, and industry partners.

CATS AI CoE will focus on priority areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, supply chain optimisation, and broader digital transformation. The initiative aims to strengthen Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem by supporting start-ups, MSMEs, industry players, research institutions and academia.

The Centre will collaborate with global technology and industry leaders and, over the next four years, is expected to establish advanced laboratories and testing facilities, support deep-tech start-ups, and enable proof-of-concepts, industry collaborations and technology commercialisation.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT and Biotechnology, said, “This is Karnataka’s deep-tech decade, and CATS AI Centre of Excellence will be a launchpad for deep-tech start-ups and industry collaborations. By bringing government, academia and industry together, we are building a pipeline from research to market-ready innovation.”

Key performance indicators for the Centre will include the number of start-ups incubated, prototypes developed, intellectual property filings, industry collaborations and skilled professionals trained, with year-wise growth targets to ensure measurable outcomes.

The establishment of the CATS AI Centre of Excellence marks a significant milestone in Karnataka’s push to position itself as India’s leading hub for applied AI, Industry 4.0 technologies and deep-tech innovation.