Bengaluru has secured fifth place among the world’s leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) cities and accounts for nearly half of India’s AI workforce, positioning it as the second-largest AI talent hub globally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Monday.
Speaking at a meeting with industry leaders to unveil the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, the CM said Karnataka’s upcoming IT policy will focus on enhancing talent readiness and infrastructure for AI. Highlighting the state’s robust ecosystem of over 18,300 startups and more than 45 unicorns, he said Karnataka remains India’s premier destination for entrepreneurs.
The CM also spotlighted Karnataka’s pioneering step as the first Indian state to launch a Quantum Technology Roadmap. By 2035, the state aims to become Asia’s leading Quantum Innovation Hub, targeting a $20 billion quantum economy with quantum hardware parks, innovation zones, and a global quantum conclave in Bengaluru.
On the futuristic QWIN City project, Siddaramaiah said it will attract global scientists, innovators, and investors, offering specialised R&D clusters alongside wellness infrastructure for a “live, work, innovate” lifestyle.
Over 200 CEOs attended the event, emphasising the importance of reskilling and boosting deeptech R&D. IT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge shared plans for a collaborative ₹1,000 crore fund for deeptech startups, with contributions from both government and private firms.
The Bengaluru Tech Summit, scheduled for November 18–20, 2025, will feature new tracks like AI Universe, Finverse, Defence & Spacetech, and My Planet My Future. Over 1 lakh attendees, including 20,000 startup founders, 1,000+ investors, and 1,200+ exhibitors, are expected.