Karnataka Cabinet approves ₹12-crore AI Centre of Excellence at IIIT Raichur
The Karnataka government has approved a ₹12-crore Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence at IIIT Raichur. The initiative aims to decentralize the state's tech ecosystem by fostering AI research and innovation in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Why it matters
This project represents a strategic effort to distribute technological growth beyond major hubs like Bengaluru to underserved regions.
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Raichur, with an outlay of ₹12 crore over five years, Minister for Home, Information Technology & Biotechnology, and e-Governance Priyank Kharge said on Sunday.
The approval was granted at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar under the Karnataka Government Transaction of Business Rules, 1977.
The project will be funded through ₹5 crore earmarked in the 2026-27 State Budget and ₹7 crore under the LEAP programme.
The AI Centre of Excellence will function as a regional hub for the 13 districts of North Karnataka, aiming to decentralise Karnataka’s technology ecosystem beyond Bengaluru by promoting AI education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
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