In a move to assess how Artificial Intelligence is changing jobs, the Karnataka government launched an AI workforce impact study on June 17. The study will shape the upcoming IT Policy 2025, focusing on how AI is influencing employment, skills, and future opportunities across the state. The initiative was announced by the Minister for IT and Biotech, Priyank Kharge, and he urged the industry to support the effort.
Artificial Intelligence is having a transformative effect on how we work. We have to understand how it is affecting us, and we need to act quickly. This study will help us plan better, train better, and protect our workforce, he said. The aim is simple: to prepare the people of Karnataka for a rapidly transforming job landscape fueled by AI, with people remaining at the center of the technological transformation.
AI Becomes a Key Focus in State Decision-Making
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a tool. It is reshaping how businesses operate and how people work. The Karnataka government is responding by placing AI at the core of its new IT Policy. Minister Kharge stressed that the upcoming IT Policy 2025 will be built around actual workforce data. “Our tech ecosystem is evolving. If AI is taking jobs away, we need to know where and how. If it’s creating new roles, we must make sure people are ready,” he said.
The study aims to collect direct inputs from the tech industry to track how AI is being adopted across sectors. It will focus on real-time changes in job roles, hiring trends, and the demand for new skills. These insights will guide policy, not guesswork. This approach reflects Karnataka’s shift toward evidence-based policymaking, especially as the pace of AI adoption grows.
Bengaluru Leads India’s AI Surge
Karnataka is already leading India’s AI movement, with Bengaluru, its capital, ranked #5 globally in AI and Big Data ecosystems, and home to over 1 lakh AI professionals. But with success comes responsibility. The government recognises that while AI is creating opportunities, it is also replacing traditional roles. The challenge is to keep the workforce in sync with this change. Our tech workforce has crossed one million. That’s our strength. But if AI disrupts the job market, we need to act before damage is done, Kharge warned. The government sees this moment as critical. As AI takes deeper roots in Karnataka’s industries, the aim is to avoid a skills gap that could leave many behind. The AI workforce study is a step toward securing that future.
NIPUNA Karnataka to Drive AI Skilling Push
The state’s flagship skilling program, NIPUNA Karnataka, will play a key role in preparing workers for the AI age. The findings from the study will help design new training paths under this initiative. Minister Kharge highlighted that skilling cannot be generic anymore. We don’t just need more training, we need the right training. NIPUNA Karnataka will help us deliver that, he said.
The program will focus on job-specific AI skills, preparing both existing workers and fresh talent to stay relevant. Whether it’s data handling, machine learning basics, or working with AI tools, the training will directly align with industry needs. With the backing of real data from the study, NIPUNA Karnataka will target sectors where AI is moving fastest and where workers are most at risk, ensuring the skilling effort drives Karnataka’s digital transformation. This will ensure that AI doesn’t just become a tool for automation, but a path to new employment.
Industry Collaboration Will Shape Policy Direction
The study’s success will depend on strong support from the tech industry. Minister Kharge urged companies to come forward with insights and data. We need your help to understand where AI is heading and what it means for jobs. This can’t be done in isolation- he said. Karnataka is entering a defining moment in its AI journey. With clear leadership, focused skilling through NIPUNA Karnataka, and support from industry, the state is setting a bold example in digital transformation. The upcoming IT Policy 2025 will not only reflect the AI reality—it aims to shape it. This is more than policy; it’s Karnataka’s blueprint for an inclusive, AI-driven future.
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