Karnataka to build green data centres in Hoskote and Mangaluru with public AI varsity

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced on Tuesday that the state government plans to establish a next-generation green data centre in Hoskote, near Bengaluru, alongside another in coastal Mangaluru, and set up India's first government-supported public Artificial Intelligence (AI) University. Speaking at the opening of the Google I/O Connect India 2026 event, Shivakumar outlined the state's vision to integrate AI into governance and public service delivery to transform Karnataka into an "AI-native state."

The proposed 500 MW green data centre in Hoskote is designed to address environmental sustainability concerns regarding energy- and water-intensive technology infrastructure. The facility will utilize 60 million litres per day (MLD) of secondary-treated water from the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and draw solar power from the 2,000 MW Pavagada Solar Park.

During his address, Shivakumar hinted at Google's potential participation in the project. He highlighted Bengaluru's position as a major hub for the technology giant, noting that 12,000 of Google India’s 18,000 workers are currently employed in the city.

In addition to the data centres, the state government aims to build a world-class AI ecosystem, anchored by the proposed public AI University. Shivakumar stated that the government wants to lay the foundation for the first and largest AI university to nurture local talent.

The Chief Minister, who assumed office in June, emphasized that AI must be leveraged to help teachers teach better, allow doctors to diagnose diseases earlier, provide better advisory services to farmers, and help small businesses compete.

This initiative follows discussions from May, when Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge noted that Karnataka was looking to introduce a sustainable data centre policy. A committee of senior IAS officers has been constituted to submit a report and identify locations with access to renewable energy supplies, power evacuation lines, and water.