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Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday launched KEO, a compact, AI-ready computing platform aimed at expanding access to artificial intelligence
and advanced computing in schools, homes, businesses and communities. According to the PTI report, it has been developed through a collaboration between the Karnataka Department of Electronics, IT and Biotechnology, KEONICS, semiconductor partners and AI-focused system integrators. KEO combines an open-source RISC-V processor architecture with open-source hardware and software and on-device artificial intelligence, an official said.
1,000 KEO AI PCs to be Deployed in Government Schools
Speaking at the launch, Shivakumar said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that every government-school student in Karnataka gets an opportunity to learn and work with emerging technologies.
The government will initially deploy 1,000 KEO AI PCs in government schools, with a long-term plan to expand the technology to every government school in the state, particularly those in rural areas. Shivakumar said KEO could help students learn coding, artificial intelligence, machine learning and electronics, while teachers could use AI-based interactive learning tools in classrooms.
He also called on industry partners and CSR organisations to support the government's effort to take KEO to government schools across Karnataka.
KEO to Bring on-Device AI to More Communities
Unlike conventional computing platforms that rely heavily on cloud connectivity for AI applications, KEO features a dedicated on-device AI accelerator, allowing AI applications to run locally. According to the department, this could make the platform particularly useful for schools and communities where internet connectivity is inconsistent.
Further, it said 3,000 KEO devices will be rolled out as part of the launch, while the first batch of 5,000 devices is already ready for deployment. The government plans to expand KEO to more schools, institutions, businesses, households and citizen-facing environments in the coming months.
Under a rollout supported by the Shikshana Foundation, 2,222 KEO computers will be deployed across Karnataka in Phase 1. The statewide implementation will cover all 239 talukas and 31 districts of the state.
Two MoUs were also signed during the launch, between the Shikshana Foundation and the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS), and between the Shikshana Foundation and RSA with the aim of providing support for the deployment and adoption of KEO across educational and community settings.
Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge described KEO as the state's response to the digital divide and said affordable computing could help students, small businesses and households participate more fully in the digital economy.
(With Inputs from PTI)
