Karnataka Drafts Responsible AI Framework for ‘I-Governance’

Karnataka, India’s technology hub, is actively working on a comprehensive framework for responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, aiming to transition towards ‘i-governance’ or intelligent governance. This initiative seeks to leverage AI for more efficient public administration, faster decision-making, and improved service delivery.

Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, highlighted the state’s proactive approach in an interview. He emphasized that the focus is not just on technological advancement but also on ensuring job security by upskilling the workforce to be more employable in an AI-driven economy. A committee comprising technologists, legal experts, and academicians has been formed to draft this framework, which is expected within the next couple of months.

The state is exploring various AI applications in citizen-facing services. Pilot projects include deploying AI-powered chatbots for grievance management and using AI to detect manipulated images in applications like crop loss assessments. The vision for ‘i-governance’ moves beyond traditional e-governance, which primarily involved digitization, to a more data-centric model that enhances public service delivery.

Kharge also addressed the broader implications of AI, noting that the upcoming Bengaluru Tech Summit’s theme, ‘AI & Beyond,’ reflects the disruptive potential of AI across multiple sectors, including governance, agriculture, manufacturing, and defense. The state aims to prepare its ecosystem and talent for these evolving dynamics.

Furthermore, Karnataka is focusing on the sustainability of data centers, recognizing their environmental impact. The state’s Data Centre Policy 2022-27 is being reviewed to strengthen its sustainability components, encouraging energy-efficient practices and the use of recycled water. This aligns with the state’s broader goal of building industries at scale while ensuring environmental responsibility.

In a push to foster deeptech innovation, Karnataka has announced a ‘Deeptech Decade’ and increased grants for startups. The state aims to build a robust deeptech ecosystem across sectors like electronics, semiconductors, and biotechnology, anticipating significant intellectual property creation in the coming years. Efforts are also underway to develop a comprehensive supply chain ecosystem to support large technology companies setting up operations in the state.

The ‘Dialogue with Diplomats’ initiative has been instrumental in attracting international interest, leading to collaborations with countries like France and partnerships with global tech events. Several major technology players, including Anthropic and Mistral AI, have already established a presence in Bengaluru, validating Karnataka’s policies and talent pool.