Karnataka Drafting Responsible AI Framework To Embrace ‘I-Governance’: Priyank Kharge

by · Inc42

SUMMARY

  • By using real-time data, automation and agentic systems, the state government plans to transform how citizen services are delivered and monitored
  • Its strategy spans deeptech grants, supply chain sub-stacks, sustainable data centre policies, and global partnerships, which signals a push to own IP creation and ecosystem depth, not just host big tech
  • Instead of reacting to displacement fears, the focus is on employability, skill readiness and policy preparedness
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arguably become the most consequential technological advancement of our era, percolating not only into high-level business strategy but reaching deep into everyday life and governance.

Given its far-reaching implications, governments across the globe are racing to frame policies that strike a fine balance between fostering innovation and ensuring accountability. Back home, India does not want to remain a mere spectator.

With the homegrown AI market projected to cross $325 Bn in revenue by 2033, both the union and state governments are sharpening their focus on building enabling frameworks while addressing concerns around data privacy, job disruption, and infrastructure readiness.

For Karnataka, the stakes are even higher. As the home of India’s startup capital, Bengaluru, the state is keen to retain its edge as the go-to destination for AI-led innovation. Its approach goes beyond attracting investments, positioning AI as a lever to bridge the gap between policymaking and last-mile delivery.

At the core of this vision is a shift from traditional e-governance to what the state terms “i-governance” or intelligent governance, where data-driven systems enable faster decision-making, proactive service delivery, and more responsive public administration.

To understand how this is shaping up on the ground, Inc42 spoke with Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s minister for electronics, IT, and biotechnology.

In this conversation, Kharge discusses the state’s early experiments with AI-led governance, its evolving policy thinking around responsible AI, efforts to attract global players, and the push to build a full-stack deeptech and supply chain ecosystem.

Here are the edited excerpts:

Inc42: In March, the Karnataka Government set up a committee for responsible AI. How do you think it would help in job security at a time when the market is plagued by mass layoffs due to AI?

Priyank Kharge: This is the first time I have been asked whether job security will be part of the responsible AI conversation.