AI university consultation panel holds first meeting, discusses phased establishment

The first meeting of the Karnataka Artificial Intelligence University (KAIU) consultation committee was held in Bengaluru on Saturday (September 5), bringing together senior leaders from the technology industry, academia and the Karnataka government to discuss the roadmap.

The committee, chaired by Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys and chairman of Axilor Ventures, and co-chaired by N. Manjula, secretary, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, has been constituted to prepare a roadmap for the phased establishment and operationalisation of the proposed university, said a release.

“The meeting focused on bringing together industry and academic institutions to take the AI University initiative forward and on identifying programmes that can be started immediately to build AI skills in Karnataka,” said the release.

Among the key points discussed was the launching of certificate, diploma, finishing-school, executive education and reskilling programmes through industry and academic partnerships, ahead of the establishment of the full-fledged university.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said, “Our immediate task is to map the training programmes and expertise already available with industry, the infrastructure available across academic institutions, and the programmes already being developed, and bring these capabilities together to create meaningful skilling opportunities. At the same time, we will work on mechanisms for industry and academia to contribute faculty, expertise and resources. The objective is to start creating AI talent and employment opportunities now, even as we build the institution for the long term.”