The Chief Minister of Karnataka declared that the state is taking proactive steps to ensure that the Kannada language is equipped for the advent of artificial intelligence-driven technologies. He emphasised the need to avoid employment disruption due to AI by embedding Kannada into technological systems, educational frameworks and research initiatives. The goal is to make Kannada not just a cultural heritage, but a language of innovation and digital relevance.
In his address, he called upon linguists, technologists, researchers and policy-makers to collaborate in developing tools which will allow Kannada to interface seamlessly with AI systems—such as natural-language processing modules, voice assistants, region-specific datasets and platforms. The plan also covers educational reforms, where Kannada medium instruction will be strengthened, and mother-tongue learning will be promoted to give children a strong linguistic foundation before they engage with AI technologies.
The initiative is framed as part of a broader vision: as the IT-era moves into the AI-era, states and languages that fail to adapt risk being left behind. Karnataka aims to take advantage of its position as a tech hub to make Kannada future-ready: upgrading educational infrastructure, modernising language policy, and embedding regional culture into cutting-edge tech. The objective is to elevate the language to global relevance and local utility in equal measure.
Finally, the move highlights how AI policy is not only about algorithms or hardware but also about language, identity and inclusion. By focusing on Kannada, the state recognises that AI-readiness involves cultural and linguistic dimensions—not just technical ones. If executed successfully, Karnataka could serve as a model for how regional languages can be preserved while being upgraded for the digital age.
