Karnataka Budget Announces AI Tutor for 1.2 Million Students

The Karnataka government has announced a major initiative to introduce an artificial intelligence–based digital tutor for students in Classes 8 to 12 as part of its 2026–27 State Budget, highlighting the growing role of AI in India’s education system.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the personalised digital tutor will be developed in collaboration with IIT Dharwad and will support approximately 12.28 lakh students across the state. The project has been allocated ₹5 crore.

According to the government, the AI tutor will help students with self-learning, personalised guidance, and academic support, reflecting a broader shift toward technology-enabled education.

Expanding AI and Robotics Ecosystem

Beyond the digital tutor initiative, the budget outlines several investments in artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technologies. The state plans to establish a “Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone” at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The campus will be developed under the AI and Robotics Technology Park initiative in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited.

In addition, a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence will be set up at the International Institute of Information Technology Raichur, with an allocation of ₹5 crore.

Two more Centres of Excellence focused on AI research will also be developed in Bengaluru in partnership with:

• Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology

• Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms

• NASSCOM

The combined investment for these initiatives is ₹16 crore.

Investment in Advanced Technologies

The budget also includes funding for projects in healthcare technology and scientific research.

An allocation of ₹4 crore has been made to develop an advanced surgical-assisted robot (COBOT) in collaboration with IIIT Bangalore and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). The system is expected to support improved outcomes in neurosurgical procedures.

Meanwhile, ₹20 crore has been allocated to develop infrastructure for the Institute of Advanced Genome Editing and Gene Therapy at the Centre for Human Genetics.

The state will also begin implementing the first phase of its Quantum Road Map, allocating ₹10 crore over five years to train specialised human resources in quantum technology.

Growing AI Adoption in Education Platforms

The move toward AI tutors reflects a broader trend across India’s education sector, where digital learning platforms are increasingly experimenting with AI-driven personalised learning systems.

Apps like Edzy, offer AI-based tools designed to help students study independently through personalised explanations, adaptive learning modules, and digital study assistance.

As governments and education technology companies continue investing in AI infrastructure and tools, such initiatives are expected to play a larger role in shaping how students learn in the coming years.