Published Jul 24, 2026 | 5:21 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 24, 2026 | 5:21 PM
Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge also unveiled Karnataka's quantum technology roadmap.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has announced that the 29th Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 will be held from 17 to 19 November at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre with the theme ‘AI & Beyond’, bringing together exhibitors, startups and delegates from more than 75 countries. At the launch, Minister Priyank Kharge announced a series of AI and deep technology initiatives, including plans for India’s first government-led AI university and an AI framework for government departments.
The Karnataka government on Friday, 24 July announced the 29th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2026, which will be held from 17 to 19 November at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), with the theme ‘AI & Beyond’.
The summit is expected to bring together more than 1,800 exhibitors, 25,000 delegates, 1,000 startups and over 60,000 business visitors from more than 75 countries.
Launching the summit, Karnataka Minister for Home, Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and e-Governance Priyank Kharge outlined a series of initiatives centred on artificial intelligence, deep technology, quantum computing and startup development, positioning them as the next phase of the State’s innovation strategy.
“Karnataka will lead the way for AI,” Kharge said, adding that the government is focused on building a strong ecosystem connecting industry leaders, startups, academia and students. He said the State would introduce AI education from the school level and establish the country’s first government-driven AI university.
Calling skill development central to the government’s strategy, he said, “‘Skill locally, work globally’ is our catchphrase.” He added that the government’s responsibility is to ensure people remain employable as AI reshapes industries.
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The government announced the launch of the Innoverse Foundation, a public-private partnership aimed at positioning Karnataka as a global DeepTech hub by providing startups with market access, mentorship and capital.
It also expanded support under the Elevate NxT (DeepTech) programme by increasing the maximum grant to ₹1 crore. Of the 33 selected startups, 24 are from Bengaluru, five are from outside Karnataka and 12 are women-led.
Responding to questions on technology sector layoffs driven by AI adoption, Kharge said, “Our job is to deliver 70 percent employment and 100% employability. That means continuous reskilling and upskilling so people can work alongside AI.”
He also announced that Karnataka has prepared an AI framework for government departments, which is expected to be released within the next month.
“We need to train people and train citizens because AI is going to become a part of everyday life,” Kharge said. “We will create a regulatory sandbox where startups and companies can build AI solutions using government datasets on a pilot basis.”
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The Minister also unveiled Karnataka’s quantum technology roadmap, which includes plans to train 20,000 people in quantum technologies and establish a six-acre Quantum Centre at Hessaraghatta.
Other highlights announced for BTS 2026 include collaborations with Germany’s Embedded World and France’s ChangeNOW, the Future Makers programme for young entrepreneurs, and India’s first Museum of Innovation, Startup and Technology, a proposed ₹300-crore project.
Reiterating the government’s focus on innovation-led growth, Kharge said, “The future belongs to states that invest in talent, technology and trust. Karnataka will continue creating policies that help startups innovate, scale and build solutions for the world.”
The launch event was attended by Dr Manjula N, IAS, S Gopalakrishnan, Chairperson of the Vision Group on IT, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of the Vision Group on Biotechnology, and other senior government and industry representatives.
