New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Karnataka demonstrated its expanding prowess in Artificial Intelligence and advanced technology during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science and Technology, highlighting the state's accomplishments before a gathering of international tech leaders on Thursday.

While speaking to reporters at the summit in New Delhi, Kharge emphasized that Karnataka is consistently at the forefront of the AI industry and is emerging as a vital center for innovation-driven progress.

He pointed out that notable global AI firms like Harvey AI and Anthropic have already set roots in the state, with The Walt Disney Company actively expanding its AI initiatives in Bengaluru.

“Bengaluru ranks among the top global hotspots for AI talent. The state government supports startups with grants of up to Rs 1 crore. To promote the responsible utilization of AI, Karnataka is closely collaborating with international leaders and researchers in the industry,” Kharge stated.

During the summit, the Minister engaged in comprehensive discussions with global industry figures, researchers, and startup founders regarding technology collaborations and avenues for innovation.

Kharge also observed the signing of a pact between H Company and St. John’s Medical College and St. John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, aimed at piloting advanced enterprise AI solutions for hospital operations.

He took part in a roundtable meeting hosted by the US-India Business Council, where the focus was on enhancing technological partnerships, investment collaborations, and innovation-led growth between Karnataka and global businesses.

“At the meeting, we reiterated the state government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for American enterprises to grow their operations and stimulate innovation in Bengaluru,” Kharge remarked.

The Minister also interacted with high-level delegations from Finland and Cyprus, exploring opportunities for collaboration. He toured the Karnataka Pavilion and the ARTPARK Pavilion at the summit, engaging with leaders of various startups.

Priyank Kharge further shared that he discussed with Anthropic Co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei about deepening cooperation in the AI sector.

Kharge met Amodei alongside Anthropic’s India Managing Director Irina Ghose and Chief Technology Officer Rahul Patil during his activities on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit.

Describing the interaction as fruitful, the Minister said the discussions centered on responsible AI, digital governance, data sovereignty, and a structured approach to skill development, incubation, and innovation support for AI startups and developers.

The conversation also included Anthropic’s future plans for its Bengaluru office and potential collaborative areas with the Karnataka government.

“It was intriguing to hear about Anthropic’s objectives for its Bengaluru office, and we anticipate working closely to establish a responsible and globally competitive AI ecosystem together,” Kharge expressed.

This meeting is part of the state government’s extensive efforts to establish Karnataka as a prominent global center for AI by promoting collaboration with international tech firms and enhancing support for startups and research institutions, he concluded.