Karnataka is finalising a comprehensive and sustainable Data Centre Policy to support the infrastructure requirements of AI and next-generation computing. He saidthe policy would create the digital infrastructure required to support AI-led innovation and next-generation computing, while complementing the State’s broader AI vision. Delivering a keynote address at the inaugural edition of GCC Summit 2026, financial advisor to the Chief Minister L.K. Ateeq announced that the Government plans to establish India’s first public sector-led AI University and a world-class AI Hub to advance AI research, innovation and commercialisation. He further announced that a VisionGroup for the AI University will be constituted shortly with significant participation from the private sector, while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to expanding GCC growth beyond Bengaluru into emerging technology clusters across Karnataka.“GCCs are no longer back-office operations. They are designing products, leading innovation and increasingly functioning as the second headquarters of global enterprises. Karnataka remains committed to creating the talent, infrastructure and innovation ecosystem that will power the next generation of global enterprises,” said L.K. Ateeq, IAS.Addressing the summit, Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, said Karnataka’s next phase ofGCC growth will be driven by future-ready talent, AI leadership and an enabling policy ecosystem. He highlighted the State’s dedicated GCC Policy, NIPUNA—the Government’sflagship skilling initiative for emerging technologies—and KATALYST, Karnataka’s dedicated facilitation mechanism for Global Capability Centres, as key pillars supporting theState’s next phase of GCC growth through future-ready talent, innovation and industry facilitation. He added that the Government remains focused on strengthening talent pipelines, fostering innovation and ensuring Karnataka continues to be the preferred destination fo rhigh-value GCC investments.“The next chapter of the GCC story will not be defined by scale alone. It will be defined by innovation, intellectual property, AI leadership and the ability to create global impact from India. We are committed to ensuring Karnataka remains at the forefront of that journey,” said Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS.The summit featured keynote addresses, leadership dialogues, executive panel discussion sand networking sessions with participation from policymakers and leaders representing leading global enterprises across technology, healthcare, financial services, engineering and manufacturing. The inaugural edition of GCC Summit 2026, was organised by Maxpo Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, and the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), was held today at in Bengaluru. The summit brought together more than 500 delegates, representatives from over 200 GCCs and multinational enterprises, and over 30 industry leaders and experts to deliberate on the future of GCCs, with discussions centred on artificial intelligence, talent, digital infrastructure, innovation, enterprise transformation and Karnataka’s roadmap to strengthen its leadership as India’s premier GCC destination.The inaugural session featured keynote addresses by L.K. Ateeq, IAS, Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman, Bengaluru Business Corridor, and Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS). Also present were David Rook, Partner, Weaver & Tidwell, Shri Tapan Sharma, General Manager, State Bank of India, and Shri Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, KDEM. Published on July 16, 2026