Karnataka launches KEO, India’s first State-built AI PC to bridge digital access divide, built on DSERT syllabus

The Karnataka government has launched KEO, a compact and affordable state-built AI computer designed for students, engineers, creators, innovators, small businesses, and households.

Karnataka Minister announces KEO

The announcement was made by Karnataka Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development, Priyank Kharge, during the curtain-raiser event for the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025.

KEO—short for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source—has been developed jointly by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT and KEONICS (Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited). 

Officials said the project aims to make intelligent computing accessible at the grassroots and empower citizens across the state.

A key feature of the KEO project is its on-device AI core, enabling users to run AI applications offline without relying on internet connectivity.

Today, the Dept. of E, IT & BT, along with KEONICS, introduced:

KEO:
Knowledge-driven, Economical and Open-source.

A first-of-its-kind AI personal computer designed and developed entirely in Karnataka. It is a compact, affordable and AI-driven mass-computing system that serves… pic.twitter.com/F3Q0P50Gqe

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) November 17, 2025

More details on the device

The device integrates BUDDH, described as India’s first local AI agent trained on the DSERT (Department of State Educational Research and Training) syllabus. The agent is designed to support students, teachers, and parents by providing curriculum-aligned assistance.

Speaking at the event, Minister Kharge emphasised the significance of the initiative.

“Karnataka is launching its own affordable AI personal computer. This is the first time anywhere in the world that a state has taken such a bold and disruptive step,” he said. He added that KEO “embodies the spirit of Karnataka—designed, developed, and assembled here by local startups and Kannadigas.”

Powered by a RISC-V processor and running a Linux-based operating system, KEO includes offline learning tools, productivity applications, programming utilities, and connectivity options, including 4G, Wi-Fi, USB-A/USB-C ports, HDMI, and audio interfaces.

With fewer than 10 per cent of Indian households owning a computer, the initiative seeks to promote digital learning, skill development, and entrepreneurship, ultimately enabling broader participation in the digital economy.

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