Karnataka steps up global tech diplomacy with AI and DPI talks involving Austria and Cuba

The Government of Karnataka has continued its global technology outreach with a fresh round of high-level discussions in Bengaluru, engaging delegations from Austria and Cuba on cooperation spanning artificial intelligence, digitisation, skilling, innovation ecosystems and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

The meetings were led by Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology and Rural Development, alongside senior officials including Dr Manjula N., Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, and Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, Managing Director of the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS). Together, they outlined Karnataka’s approach to building population-scale digital systems while balancing governance, security and innovation.

Engagement with the Austrian delegation centred on artificial intelligence governance, responsible digitisation and deeper innovation partnerships. Austrian representatives described Bengaluru as one of the world’s most significant hubs for AI and digital transformation, noting that close to 140 Austrian companies and subsidiaries ...