Karnataka to establish Center of Excellence in AI and unveil GCC policy soon

Karnataka hosted the GIA Meet on September 3 to promote the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 (BTS 2024) to its Global Innovation Alliance partner countries and international trade mission representatives.

Karnataka is set to launch a Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and unveil its much-anticipated GCC policy.

Speaking at the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) meet to promote the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 (BTS 2024) to partner countries and international trade mission representatives, Karnataka IT-BT Secretary Ekroop Caur said, “AI is the flavor of the day, and Bengaluru is also heavily invested. We are establishing a Center of Excellence for AI and are in touch with several country heads to secure partnerships.”

“We currently have about 17 Centers of Excellence (CoEs), each focusing on specific areas and collaborating with premier academic institutions in India, along with local industry partners. These CoEs are truly centers of excellence, and our partnerships and alliances will only enhance their capabilities,” Caur said.

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The state will also focus on life sciences, startups, electronics, and semiconductors. “We already have a robust ecosystem for semiconductors in Bengaluru and significant contributions from Mysuru in the electronics domain,” Caur said.

She welcomed startups and MSMEs from other countries to Bengaluru, offering support and facilitating connections with local industry, academia, and startups. “We aim to provide a warm welcome and smooth integration into the local ecosystem,” she said.

Draft GCC policy this month

IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said that Bengaluru is the fourth-largest startup cluster in the world and the largest in India. “The draft GCC policy will be launched this month. With this policy, we aim to transform not only the Indian economy but also the global economic landscape.”

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Caur said the forthcoming GCC policy will focus on strengthening engagement and easing the process for companies operating in India. “GCCs will remain a key focus, with 40% of India’s GCCs based in Bengaluru. The new GCC policy will offer additional fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including support for skilling, R&D, and ease of doing business,” she said.

Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) partnership

Kharge also proposed specific sector-based corridors, such as an AI corridor with San Francisco or a sports tech corridor with Melbourne. “Karnataka aims to establish the Center of Excellence in water management and partner with the Netherlands to advance water management technologies. We are also considering partnerships in fintech with London and other sectors with various global cities.”

He outlined plans to invest Rs 100 crore in a cutting-edge scaling program for emerging technologies and seek partnerships through CSR and corporate development funds to create a highly agile workforce. “The goal is to skill locally while working globally, with GIA members playing a crucial role in this endeavor,” said Kharge.

Bengaluru Tech Summit

Caur emphasised GIA’s role in promoting Karnataka as a global innovation hub, fostering partnerships with over 30 countries. The Global Innovation Alliance Market Access Programme (GIA MAP) has facilitated exploratory visits for Karnataka startups to five countries, supporting 42 startups. The GIA Mixer, launched in August 2024, promotes collaboration with a new country each month.

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024, scheduled from November 19-21 at Bangalore Palace, will feature over 85 sessions with 460+ speakers. The event will include a 6-track conference, special programs, and an international exhibition with over 700 exhibitors, focusing on various industry sectors.

Also, read: Bengaluru tech summit on November 19-21