• The 27th Bengaluru Tech Summit, inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saw international participation and the unveiling of a futuristic jet suit.
• The summit also honored Sriharsha Majety, CEO of Swiggy, and Texas Instruments India for their significant contributions.
• Karnataka announced the establishment of a 'Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence' to promote AI research and development.
• The state unveiled its draft Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy, aiming to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029 and generate $50 billion in economic output.

The 27th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, a joint venture by the Department of Electronics, IT, and BT of the Karnataka government and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The event, held at the Palace Grounds, was a significant gathering of international participants from over 15 countries. The summit, scheduled from November 19 to 21, saw more than 50 high-level delegations comprising government officials, industry leaders, and startups with diverse perspectives and collaborative opportunities.

The inauguration of the tech exhibition at BTS 2024 was a notable event, with CM Siddaramaiah cutting the ribbon alongside the 'BTS Flying Man' wearing a futuristic jet suit designed by Gravity Industries. The summit, themed 'Tech Unbound', saw participation from key dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Minister for IT, BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Priyank Kharge, who highlighted the importance of the summit in their addresses.

The event also saw the felicitation of Sriharsha Majety, CEO and Co-Founder of Swiggy, by the Karnataka Government's Department of Electronics, IT, and BT for his inspiring contributions and significant achievements. Texas Instruments India was honoured for its remarkable 40 years of presence in Bengaluru and India. Santosh Kumar, Managing Director of Texas Instruments India, received the award on behalf of the organisation.

Karnataka's AI Initiatives and Global Collaborations

The summit also saw the presence of international dignitaries like Dr Anna Christmann, Commissioner for Startups at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and Alexandra Dublanche, Vice President for Economic Recovery and Development, France. They were present alongside Dr E.V. Ramana Reddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka.

The Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 also saw the unveiling of a special commemorative edition titled 'Karnataka: Driving India's Technology and AI Revolution' by Elets Technomedia and eGov Magazine, in collaboration with the Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and Science and Technology. This edition highlighted the state's remarkable leadership in advancing Artificial Intelligence and technology across India.

The Karnataka government further announced the establishment of a 'Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence' in Bengaluru to promote cutting-edge research and development. This centre is envisioned as a premier accelerator for AI startups in India. It will be spearheaded by the "IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru" (IITACB) in partnership with the Karnataka government.

Karnataka's Ambitious Plans and Future Prospects

The Karnataka Government on Friday unveiled its draft Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy with ambitious goals to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029. The policy also aims to create 3.5 lakh jobs and generate $50 billion in economic output during the 2024-2029 period. The draft policy is now open for public feedback, allowing stakeholders to contribute to refining the framework.

Karnataka is the first Indian state to introduce a dedicated GCC policy, designed to attract increased investment in this growing sector. A GCC typically serves as an offshore unit established by companies to manage IT and business operations.

In preparation for the full-scale launch of SME Connect '25, a workshop on Industry 4.0 was held at The Lalit Ashok, Bangalore, on September 20, 2024. The event provided SMEs with practical tools and knowledge to implement smart manufacturing solutions. Key topics covered included overcoming operational challenges, navigating digital transformation, and applying advanced technologies like AI and IoT to enhance business processes. Smt Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development, was present at the workshop.

As part of SME Connect '25, SMEs will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations at the Global Investors Meet 2025, giving them an international platform to highlight technological advancements and explore new market opportunities.