Karnataka begins rollout of AI-ready KEO PCs, first batch of 2,000 units set for deployment

Karnataka on Wednesday began the rollout of KEO, its indigenously developed AI-ready personal computer initiative, with the first batch of 2,000 systems set to be deployed across rural libraries, schools and educational institutions.

The rollout comes as the state seeks to expand access to affordable computing and artificial intelligence (AI) tools beyond urban centres, said the IT/BT department in a statement. The AI-ready PCs, priced at Rs 18,999, are being assembled at the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS) facility in Peenya.

IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge visited the manufacturing facility to review the assembly and production readiness of the systems, inspect the assembly line and interact with engineering and technical teams.


The department said KEO was conceptualised less than a year ago as an initiative to bridge the digital divide and make AI-ready computing affordable and accessible. The programme has now entered the implementation phase, with systems earmarked for deployment across rural libraries, schools and educational institutions.

In the first phase, a majority of the 2,000 systems will be deployed in rural libraries, while the remaining units will be distributed among educational institutions.

“Less than a year ago, KEO was just an idea—an idea to bridge the digital divide and make AI-ready computing affordable and accessible to every learner. Today, we are seeing that vision take shape on the ground,” Kharge said in a statement

The systems are designed to support AI literacy, spoken English, digital skills, competitive examination preparation, prompt engineering and Karnataka State Board learning content for students in classes 6-10.

Built on an open-source architecture and powered by a RISC-V processor, the KEO systems can run AI applications locally on the device, enabling usage in areas with limited internet connectivity, statement said.

The initiative is part of the state's broader ArivuKendra.ai and Schools.ai programmes, which aim to deploy AI-enabled systems across 239 taluks.

“Karnataka is taking AI beyond Bengaluru and into rural libraries, schools and communities. The first batch of 2,000 AI-ready KEO PCs marks an important step in ensuring that access to technology reaches every corner of the state,” Kharge said.

Sharat Bachegowda, chairman of KEONICS, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s focus on building affordable, open-source computing solutions based on local innovation.