Bengaluru hosts 50% of country's AI talent: CM

Bengaluru: Bengaluru ranks fifth among the world’s top Artificial Intelligence (AI) cities, and it hosts nearly 50% of India’s AI talent, making it the second-largest AI talent hub globally, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In a meeting with industry leaders on Monday, the chief minister said the state's new IT policy will focus on equipping talent and infrastructure for AI. He also pointed out that Karnataka is home to over 18,300 startups and more than 45 unicorns. This, he noted, proves that the state is the best place for entrepreneurs to start and grow big.

The meeting was held to announce Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 and to engage with industry captains from diverse sectors to hear their views on key strategies and initiatives for Karnataka.

The CM also underscored that Karnataka launched India’s first state-level Quantum Technology Roadmap. "We aim to make Karnataka Asia’s top Quantum Innovation Hub by 2035, with a $20 billion quantum economy. We are planning quantum hardware parks, innovation zones, and a global quantum conclave in Bengaluru," he said.

Talking about QWIN City, which is an integrated ecosystem for wellness, innovation, and new-age industries, the CM added this will be a magnet for global scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors, offering dedicated R&D clusters and wellness infrastructure that makes it a destination to live, work, and innovate.

Over 200 CEOs participated in the meeting, and they stressed the need for reskilling and the need for more investments in research and development (R&D), especially on deeptech.

On funding in deep tech, IT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge said the CEOs suggested a collaboration to create a fund of Rs 1,000 crore for startups in the space. "I will need to put in Rs 100 crore, and if nine companies put in Rs 100 crore each, it will become a Rs 1,000 crore fund," he observed.

About the Bengaluru Tech Summit, which will be held from November 18 to 20, 2025, Kharge said they have introduced new tracks such as AI Universe, Finverse, Defence and Spacetech and My Planet My Future. "AI is creating huge disruption across various sectors," he said.

This year, over 1 lakh attendees are expected to participate, including over 20,000 startup founders, more than 1,000 investors, 15,000 delegates, 600 speakers and over 1,200 exhibitors.