Karnataka IT Minister on Bengaluru vs Hyderabad rivalry: 'We are country cousins'

Priyank Kharge also spoke about the rising number of unicorns in Bengaluru and said that the city was fifth best in AI adoption, globally. (Image credit: YouTube/Moneycontrol).

Ever since the Information Technology boom hit India in the early parts of the 21st century, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have developed a rivalry over which of the two capital cities leads the way as far as software development and other technological advancements in India are concerned.

On Saturday, at the CNBC-TV18 and Moneycontrol Global AI Conclave, Karnataka IT minister Priyank Kharge was asked about the government change in Telangana with the Congress winning the state assembly elections recently and how the dynamic of the rivalry would change with a new IT minister at the helm in the state and he referred to the two cities as "country cousins".

"We (Hyderabad and Bengaluru) are country cousins", Kharge said, referring to the rivalry between the two cities.

Speaking about the development of artificial intelligence in the state, Kharge said that the government was working on some critical aspects of the AI system and was focusing on skilling, specifically.

"We are doing some important things that are crucial to AI ecosystem. Number one is skilling. The government understands the foundation for any innovation that can happen is only through skills and we are developing this. We are coming up with centres of excellence in health sciences, life sciences and medical products where startups can come and work with us," he said.

Kharge also spoke about the rising number of unicorns in Bengaluru and said that the city was fifth best in AI adoption, globally.

"We have 44 unicorns and 57 soon to be unicorns here in Bengaluru. We are considered the fifth best city in AI adoption in the world," the minister said.

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