Karnataka will need to take its technology infrastructure and opportunities beyond Bengaluru, chief minister D K Shivakumar said on Tuesday, as the state-run Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS) marked its 50th anniversary.

“From the early foundations of Electronic City to the technology ecosystem we see today, KEONICS has been part of Karnataka’s journey as an innovation and technology leader," Shivakumar said in a press release. "As the state looks ahead, KEONICS has an important role in ensuring that technology infrastructure and opportunities reach every part of Karnataka.”

KEONICS plans to develop such infrastructure in Shivamogga, Mangaluru, and Mysuru as part of its plans to expand its footprint across the state, said the statement. Its projects include a 2.5-acre annexe (phase II) next to the existing IT park in Shivamogga, a 3.25-acre IT park at Blueberry Hill in Derebail, Mangaluru, and a 3.48-acre IT park in Mysuru.

The Shivamogga and Mangaluru projects have previously been proposed under public-private partnership and a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer model. KEONICS also has existing IT parks in Hubballi, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga, added the statement.

The corporation is also expanding its role in IT consulting, system integration, software, infrastructure management, and procurement for government departments and public institutions.

IT-BT and e-governance minister Priyank Kharge said KEONICS’ role had expanded beyond technology infrastructure to IT services, skilling, digital governance, and new technology initiatives.

“KEONICS is not just an institution with a five-decade history; it is an important execution arm in Karnataka’s technology ecosystem,” Kharge said.

KEONICS has more than 130 training centres which have trained more than 1.39 lakh students between FY20 and FY26, he added.

The corporation is also expanding its digital education initiatives and plans to roll out 2,222 KEO AI PCs across 239 taluks and 31 model residential schools. The computers are designed to provide on-device AI capabilities for digital learning and AI literacy.

The KEO AI PC initiative was launched earlier this year as part of Karnataka's efforts to expand access to AI-enabled computing beyond major urban centres.

Established in 1976, KEONICS was involved in the development of 332 acres for Electronic City.

At the Golden Jubilee event, KEONICS launched a new logo and a Computer Literacy Test (CLT) module, and released a coffee-table book documenting its five-decade history. A statue of R K Baliga, KEONICS' first chairman and managing director and one of the key figures behind the development of Electronic City, was also unveiled.

Former chief minister Veerappa Moily, who attended the event, said the development of Electronic City reflected the importance of long-term planning in building Karnataka's technology ecosystem.

KEONICS chairman Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda said the corporation's focus would be on expanding technology infrastructure, skilling, and access to emerging technologies across the state.