Bengaluru, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, officially launched the 7th edition of the Bengaluru GAFX – Games, Animation and Visual Effects Conference, themed 'Evolution Reloaded.' He emphasized that Karnataka is not just participating but is at the forefront of the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) movement, backed by continuous policy support, talent cultivation, and global collaborations.

Speaking to attendees after the conference's inauguration, Siddaramaiah highlighted Bengaluru as the ideal venue for such an event, describing it as a city “where imagination converges with engineering, where artistry meets algorithms, and where creativity attracts investment.”

He pointed out that this sector holds the potential to create as many as 2 million jobs in the next five years across a range of fields including design, coding, storytelling, Artificial Intelligence (AI) modeling, and production management.

According to him, Karnataka's talent is already making significant contributions to global cinema, international gaming studios, OTT platforms, and animation processes. He underscored the necessity for structured skill enhancement by integrating AVGC-XR courses into universities, engineering colleges, design schools, and polytechnics.

Outlining the state's strategy, Siddaramaiah stated that Karnataka is committed to developing a future-ready talent pool, enhancing production infrastructure, supporting startups and original intellectual property development, creating opportunities beyond Bengaluru, and strengthening global ties.

He also discussed the increasing influence of AI in the creative industry, asserting that while AI boosts productivity, it should remain a tool to aid rather than supplant human creativity. He emphasized the importance of ethical AI usage, safeguarding intellectual property, ensuring data privacy, and guaranteeing fair compensation for creators.

He noted that Bengaluru has consistently been a leader in technological advancements, spanning software, biotechnology, space exploration, and deep-tech innovations.

According to the Chief Minister, the AVGC-XR sector has become a key player in the digital economy, transforming how individuals engage with stories, education, culture, and governance in this era of immersive media, streaming services, e-sports, and extended reality.

Siddaramaiah remarked that the seventh iteration of this conference reflects Karnataka's ongoing growth, continuity, and confidence in steering this transformation.

Recognizing Karnataka's pioneering efforts, he noted that it was the first Indian state to implement a dedicated AVGC policy in 2017, acknowledging the critical role of content creation in the digital economy. He mentioned that the government is now executing its third AVGC-XR Policy for the period 2024–2029, which includes incentives, infrastructure development, skill enhancement initiatives, incubation support, and industry partnerships.

Through initiatives like K-Tech, Startup Karnataka, and Centres of Excellence, the government has established platforms to foster innovation and assist startups. He pointed out that the state is also encouraging the development of digital creative clusters outside Bengaluru in cities such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Kalaburagi to ensure equitable regional growth and create opportunities across Karnataka.

The Chief Minister mentioned that the government is integrating immersive technologies into sectors such as tourism, education, and healthcare.

Augmented Reality is being utilized to elevate tourism experiences, while AVGC-XR tools are aiding in medical training, digital education, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Calling the sector both an economic and civilizational opportunity, Siddaramaiah stated it empowers youth to convert creativity into income and facilitates global content production from smaller towns.

The Chief Minister urged industry leaders to invest in original content, educational institutions to update their curricula, and young creators to innovate boldly. He expressed that Karnataka aims to not only become the Silicon Valley of India but also the creative hub of the digital realm.

With this, Siddaramaiah officially opened the 7th edition of Bengaluru GAFX – Evolution Reloaded. The event is organized by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, and Biotechnology and the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).