Karnataka launches KEO AI computing device

On August 21, 2026, India — Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar launched KEO, an AI-ready computing platform developed by India — Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation in collaboration with the India — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, semiconductor partners, and AI-focused system integrators. KEO combines an open-source RISC-V processor architecture, open-source hardware and software, and on-device AI acceleration, enabling AI applications to run locally without heavy reliance on cloud connectivity. The government plans to deploy 3,000 KEO devices initially, with the first batch of 5,000 already ready, and aims to eventually place KEO in every government school in India — Karnataka, particularly in rural areas. The first phase, supported by the Lumina Foundation, will deploy 2,222 systems across all 239 talukas and 31 districts, including in Arivu Kendras and residential schools. Two MoUs were signed between the Lumina Foundation and the India — Education in Telangana (KREIS) and between the Lumina Foundation and RSA to support deployment. KEO comes preloaded with BUDDH, an AI learning assistant trained on the DSERT syllabus, and variants KEO Lite and KEO Pro are planned. Officials including IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge and India — Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation chairman Sharath Bache Gowda emphasized the device's role in bridging the digital divide and democratizing access to AI and computing.