KEO to take AI computing to every government school in Karnataka: Shivakumar

The State government of Karnataka introduced KEO, the country's first indigenous AI personal computer, designed specifically for students and government schools. The device, priced at ₹18,999, was unveiled by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who emphasized how it would democratize access to artificial intelligence and enhance learning, farming, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Shivakumar highlighted that KEO would ensure every government school student and teacher in the state gets a chance to learn and build with emerging technologies, while also aiding farmers and entrepreneurs. The CM noted that the device symbolizes government-driven technology transformation for the masses, ensuring that a person's ZIP code should never restrict their access to technology and opportunities.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge remarked on the innovation, stating that no other state has tackled computing at the grassroots level in such a manner. He added that the KEO is the first affordable AI-PC in Karnataka, available to all, and expressed openness to other states purchasing and using it. KEO was developed by a partnership involving the Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, KEONICS, semiconductor partners, and AI-focused system integrators.

It integrates an open-source RISC-V processor architecture, hardware, and software, and incorporates on-device artificial intelligence in a compact desktop setup.

KEONICS Chairman Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, invoking their contributions to technology. He introduced KEO Lite and KEO Pro variants, along with the initial release of 2,222 KEO units, distributed to 239 taluks, with select schools in 31 districts receiving ten devices each.

These devices were sponsored by Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Kris Gopalakrishnan, and Prashanth Prakash, who contributed ₹1 crore each. KEONICS is currently preparing a second batch of 3,000 units, emphasizing the device's potential to bring affordable AI computing to every corner of the state.