New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Karnataka's ministers, Priyank Kharge and Sharan Prakash Patil, have announced that the state is set to establish itself as a national frontrunner in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technology, emphasizing skill enhancement, ethical AI practices, and international partnerships.

During an interview with IANS at the AI Summit in Delhi on Wednesday, Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, IT and BT, highlighted the vast potential for India, especially Karnataka, to capitalize on the ongoing global technological revolution.

“The opportunities for India and particularly Karnataka to harness the global disruption are tremendous. The Karnataka government is at the forefront, actively collaborating with global leaders in skill incubation and establishing centers of excellence for our startups,” he mentioned.

Kharge further emphasized the state's ambition to spearhead the ethical application of AI in e-governance. He pointed out that Karnataka is recognized among the leading states for skill development and boasts one of the largest AI talent pools nationwide.

“We are collaborating with international leaders in deep tech and AI. Discussions are ongoing regarding future collaborations in advanced technologies,” he added.

When asked about the Galgotias University controversy, Kharge underscored the necessity for ethical standards in innovation. “It is irrelevant who it is. Ethics must prevail. If the creation, innovation, or intellectual property does not belong to you, it should not be falsely claimed as yours or misrepresented. This standard applies universally, whether to a university, a corporation, or an individual,” he asserted.

It is noteworthy that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reacted to the recent Galgotias University issue during the India AI Impact Summit, criticizing it as a “chaotic PR event.” He alleged that Indian data is being sold and that Chinese products are highlighted at the summit.

Minister Kharge acknowledged the organizational challenges and communication issues affecting entrepreneurs, but noted that these matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Government of India.

Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, stated that India has a significant role in the AI sector and that Karnataka is already a leader.

“Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, is known as the Silicon Valley of India. We possess the right ecosystem, a robust talent base, and a high adaptability rate. The government is enhancing this by developing the necessary skill foundation,” he remarked.

Patil mentioned that the Skill Development Department aims to train at least five lakh graduates annually in AI-related fields. To achieve this, the state is establishing approximately five centers of excellence to equip youth with future-ready skills.

“Adoptability is a crucial issue today. The next challenge is integrating AI tools without displacing the workforce. AI should complement rather than replace jobs. Our focus is on preparing individuals for future employment opportunities,” he stated.

He added that AI will increasingly find applications across various sectors, including healthcare, public administration, e-governance, and agriculture. “There are no bounds to the applications of AI. It will impact every sector and department,” he concluded.