{
  "id": 3767596,
  "title": "Karnataka explores voice AI pilots with ElevenLabs across skilling, health and citizen services",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/karnataka-explores-voice-ai-pilots-with-elevenlabs-across-skilling-3767596",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-27T15:22:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "YourStory",
    "slug": "yourstory",
    "url": "https://yourstory.com/2026/08/karnataka-voice-ai-elevenlabs-skills"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Karnataka government is exploring pilot projects utilizing voice AI from ElevenLabs across a range of services including skilling, investment promotion, healthcare, culture, and citizen services. The discussions took place in Bengaluru on August 27, 2026 between Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance, and ElevenLabs representatives. No formal agreements have been reached yet, but the talks are exploratory in nature. Karnataka is actively courting global AI firms and aims to convert AI advancements into practical applications for citizens. The state has been working on an AI framework and has allocated significant funds for AI initiatives. During the talks, five potential applications for voice AI were discussed, including voice-enabled interview practice, investor assistance services, voice restoration, cultural and public-service initiatives, and responsible AI and voice safety measures. The delegation from ElevenLabs included Ben Supple, Nihal Chauhan, and Arielle Andrews, while Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda and Dr Avinash Menon Rajendran represented Karnataka. The discussions centered around the responsible use of AI-generated voices to prevent the spread of misinformation. ElevenLabs, founded in 2022, has raised significant funding and has plans to expand its presence in India. The immediate goal for Karnataka is to develop a pilot project based on the roadmap discussed to ensure its practical use by citizens.",
  "summary": "Karnataka is exploring voice AI pilots with ElevenLabs for skilling, healthcare, investor services, culture and citizen services.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "YourStory",
        "title": "Karnataka explores voice AI pilots with ElevenLabs across skilling, health and citizen services",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/karnataka-explores-voice-ai-pilots-with-elevenlabs-across-skilling",
        "published": "2026-08-27T15:08:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}