Karnataka has taken a transformative leap in digital inclusion by launching AI-Ready PC KEO, India’s first locally developed affordable AI-powered computer designed to make technology accessible to every household, classroom, and government office. The groundbreaking device will be formally unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 on November 18.
AI-Ready PC KEO Targets India’s Digital Divide
TheInterviewTimes.com | November 17, 2025: KEO—short for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source—is engineered to solve India’s long-standing challenges of low device penetration and unequal digital opportunities, especially in rural and underserved regions.
Computer ownership in India is still under 10 percent nationally, and only 15 percent in Karnataka, limiting participation in online education and digital services. More than 60 percent of students across India struggle to access virtual learning due to the absence of computing devices.
Additionally, only 32.4 percent of the nation’s 1.47 million schools possess functional computers, highlighting the scale of the accessibility crisis.
The AI-Ready PC KEO initiative directly confronts this gap by offering an affordable, indigenous, fully capable computer with AI functionality designed for students, small businesses, universities, government departments, and households.
Developed by KEONICS in collaboration with the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, KEO strengthens Karnataka’s mission to extend technology beyond Bengaluru and empower every district with digital access.
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Indigenous Tech: RISC-V Processor, AI Core & Open-Source Software
The AI-Ready PC KEO is powered by an open-source RISC-V processor, showcasing India’s growing independence in chip design supported by Digital India’s semiconductor initiatives.
Key features include:
- Linux-based open-source OS
- Inbuilt AI core for offline AI applications
- Preloaded BUDDH AI agent, trained on the Karnataka DSERT syllabus
- Multiple connectivity options: 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Audio ports
The AI capability stands out as a historic first—allowing rural students to access personalized learning tools without needing internet connectivity.
The BUDDH AI assistant is expected to revolutionize digital education in Karnataka, offering curriculum-aligned guidance and learning support in low-connectivity environments.
Karnataka’s Vision: Technology for Inclusion, Not Luxury
IT Minister Priyank Kharge described the AI-Ready PC KEO as “an inclusion device, not a luxury device.” He emphasized the state’s goal of ensuring that every citizen, regardless of socio-economic background, has access to digital tools essential for education, entrepreneurship, and public services.
KEONICS Chairman Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda said the adoption of the RISC-V stack reflects Karnataka’s commitment to local innovation, adaptability, and affordability in computing solutions.
The device will be showcased at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 (Nov 18–20), giving students, startups, tech leaders, and visitors an opportunity to engage with the device firsthand as part of the state’s “Futurise Karnataka” mission.
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Future Impact: Education, Startups & Digital Governance
The AI-Ready PC KEO could trigger a new era of digital empowerment across Karnataka by:
- Transforming Education: Enabling millions of students to access curriculum-based AI learning tools.
- Boosting Startups & MSMEs: Providing an affordable platform to develop digital literacy and innovation.
- Strengthening Governance: Allowing government offices to expand e-governance and citizen services in remote regions.
- Building ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ Tech Clusters: Spreading technology adoption across rural and semi-urban Karnataka.
Pricing will be officially revealed at the Tech Summit, but the state asserts that KEO is strategically priced to break cost barriers that have historically limited computer adoption.
Key Takeaways
- AI-Ready PC KEO is India’s first affordable AI-enabled computer aimed at bridging the digital divide.
- Developed by KEONICS, it uses an open-source RISC-V processor and Linux OS.
- Comes preloaded with BUDDH, an AI agent aligned with Karnataka’s DSERT syllabus.
- Designed for students, small businesses, and government offices, especially in underserved regions.
- The launch marks a major milestone in Karnataka’s push for inclusive digital transformation.