As IndiaAI Takes Off, Karnataka Prepares Its Own AI Mission Blueprint

When it comes to tech innovation in India, all roads often lead to Bengaluru — the bustling capital of Karnataka and the heartbeat of India’s startup and IT ecosystem. Now, as India gears up for an AI-powered future with the Centre’s ambitious IndiaAI Mission, Karnataka seems ready to take a decisive leap forward with a dedicated state-level AI Mission of its own.

The move signals a strong intent — to not only align with national ambitions but also tailor solutions to local strengths, challenges, and opportunities. If successful, Karnataka could become a model for state-driven AI policy and implementation in India.

Why Karnataka Wants Its Own AI Mission

In a recent statement cited by The Economic Times, Karnataka’s IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge hinted at the state’s intent to launch its own Artificial Intelligence Mission. The idea stems from a growing realisation that the widespread adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) calls for a state-specific framework to govern its use, ensure responsible development, and prepare the workforce for a fast-changing tech landscape.

With millions now engaging with AI tools daily, Kharge emphasized the urgency of regulating AI use and building a robust ecosystem around it. The proposed AI Mission is expected to become a key pillar in the upcoming Karnataka IT Policy 2025-30, slated to be unveiled in November at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.

This move also comes at a time when the Union Government is rolling out its INR 10,000 Cr IndiaAI Mission, aiming to build indigenous AI capabilities, including Large Language Models (LLMs), compute infrastructure, and datasets.

The AI Workforce Impact Study: A Step Towards Responsible Innovation

Karnataka isn’t entering the AI game without homework. The government recently launched the AI Workforce Impact Study to map out how automation and AI are reshaping the job landscape.

The study aims to assess the evolving skill requirements, job displacement risks, and emerging career pathways in a future increasingly influenced by machine learning and GenAI tools. This kind of forward-thinking initiative reflects the state’s intent to back innovation with empathy and foresight.

After all, Karnataka is home to over 1 million tech professionals, including 1 lakh AI specialists — making it one of India’s richest AI talent pools.

Bengaluru: India’s AI Capital?

The timing of this move couldn’t be more strategic. According to Inc42’s 2025 report titled "India’s AI Uprising: GenAI, AI Agents & The Future Of Startups", Bengaluru-based AI startups have raised a massive $872 million in the past five years.

That’s not all — overall, Bengaluru emerged as India’s most funded startup hub, attracting over $2 billion in investments. This includes significant bets on GenAI startups, deeptech ventures, and future-facing technologies.

Recognising the momentum, the Karnataka government has already committed INR 100 Cr to support deeptech startups in this year’s budget. It also announced plans to establish a Centre for Applied AI for Tech Solutions (CATS) — a focused initiative with an investment of INR 50 Cr spread across the next five years.

The Centre will likely serve as a hub for applied research, industry collaboration, and pilot deployment of AI solutions — from agriculture to urban development and beyond.

Synergy with IndiaAI Mission: A Collaborative Future

While Karnataka is setting up its own roadmap, it doesn’t mean working in silos. The move is expected to complement the Centre’s IndiaAI Mission, which is already in motion with large-scale projects like the development of domestic LLMs, grants for GenAI startups, and shared compute infrastructure.

Under the national scheme, startups like SarvamAI, Gnani.ai, and Soket AI have already been shortlisted to work on indigenous AI models, pushing India closer to self-reliance in foundational AI tech.

The broader aim is clear — position India as a global GenAI powerhouse. With estimates projecting the Indian GenAI market to become a $17 billion opportunity by 2030, Karnataka’s early moves might just give it a first-mover advantage.

Karnataka’s proactive approach is more than just policy-making. It’s a bold declaration: that AI is not just the future of technology, but the future of governance, jobs, and innovation itself.

By planning its own AI mission, committing funds to deeptech, and actively studying AI’s impact on workers, Karnataka is aiming to build an AI ecosystem that is both ambitious and inclusive.

In a country as diverse as India, a one-size-fits-all approach to AI development may not be enough. Karnataka’s move could inspire other states to follow suit — building regional models that align with national goals but respond to local needs.

For now, all eyes will be on the Bengaluru Tech Summit in November, where the state’s new IT policy — and possibly the blueprint of its AI Mission — will be officially unveiled.

And with that, Karnataka may well script a new chapter in India's AI journey — one where states don’t just participate in the AI revolution but lead it.