Karnataka launches ₹20 crore AI Centre of Excellence to accelerate deeptech innovation

HSR Layout to Get Karnataka's ₹20 Crore AI Centre of Excellence | AIM

The centre will focus on priority areas, including AI, robotics, automation and digital transformation. The Karnataka government has approved the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI-CoE) to accelerate Industry 4.0 adoption and deep-tech innovation across sectors. The centre, named CATS, or Centre for Applied AI for Tech Solutions, has been cleared by the Department of IT, and will be set up at the KEONICS facility in HSR Layout, in partnership with Nasscom, according to an official release. The initiative will have a total outlay of ₹20 crore spread over four years, funded through a 40:40:20 model, with contributions from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Government of Karnataka, and industry partners. The CATS AI CoE will focus on priority areas such as AI, robotics and automation, supply chain optimisation, and digital transformation. It aims to strengthen Karnataka's innovation ecosystem by supporting start-ups, MSMEs, industry players, research institutions, and academia. Over the next four years, the centre is expected to establish advanced laboratories and testing facilities, support deep-tech start-ups, and facilitate proof-of-concepts, industry collaborations, and technology commercialisation, with collaboration envisaged with global technology and industry leaders. Minister for electronics, IT Priyank Kharge said, "This is Karnataka's deep tech decade, and the CATS AI Centre of Excellence will be a launchpad for deep-tech start-ups and industry collaborations." He added that by bringing government, academia, and industry together, we are building a pipeline from research to market-ready innovation. The centre will track key performance indicators including the number of start-ups incubated, prototypes developed, intellectual property filings, industry collaborations, and professionals trained, with year-wise growth targets to ensure measurable outcomes.

Karnataka approves AI centre of excellence to drive deeptech innovation in Bengaluru

Karnataka has cleared the launch of a new artificial intelligence centre in Bengaluru to boost AI use and deeptech innovation. The facility, set up with NASSCOM, will support startups, MSMEs and research institutions across key technology areas. The Rs 20-crore project aims to strengthen the state's position as a hub for applied AI. Karnataka approved the establishment of an artificial intelligence centre of excellence (AI-CoE) on Thursday to accelerate AI adoption, deeptech innovation, and digital transformation across sectors. The state plans to establish the facility, named the Centre for Applied AI for Tech Solutions (CATS), in Bengaluru in partnership with NASSCOM. The project requires an outlay of Rs 20 crore over four years. The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) and the state government provide most of the funding, while industry partners contribute a portion, according to a release issued by the IT/BT department. The initiative supports the state's innovation ecosystem, including startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), research institutions, and academia. CATS also plans to collaborate with global technology and industry leaders, the release added. The facility focuses on priority areas, including AI, robotics and automation, supply chain optimisation, and digital transformation. Over the next four years, CATS plans to establish advanced laboratories and testing facilities, support deeptech startups, and facilitate proofs-of-concept, industry collaborations, and technology commercialisation. Speaking on the announcement, IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge said, "This is the state's deeptech decade... By bringing government, academia, and industry together, we are building a pipeline from research to market-ready solutions." The Centre tracks its performance through key indicators, including the number of startups it incubates, prototypes it develops, intellectual property filings, industry collaborations, and skilled professionals it trains. The establishment marks a significant milestone in the state's journey towards becoming India's leading hub for applied AI, Industry 4.0 technologies, and breakthrough technological development, the release said.