By R Anil Kumar
Bengaluru. The Karnataka government on November 17 announced KEO, a compact, affordable, AI-ready personal computer designed and developed entirely in Karnataka to bridge the state’s digital access gap.
KEO – which stands for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source – is Karnataka’s answer to this challenge. Built on an open-source RISC-V processor with a Linux-bas.ed operating system, KEO offers a full computing experience at an accessible price point. It features 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI, and an audio jack, and comes preloaded with learning, programming, and productivity tools.
KEO includes an on-device AI core, enabling artificial intelligence to run locally without internet access. It comes preloaded with BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the Karnataka DSERT syllabus to assist students even in low-connectivity regions.
The KEO device will be formally unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the inaugural ceremony of the Bengaluru Tech Summit on November 18. Following the launch, the device will be showcased to the public throughout the Summit, allowing students, startups, industry leaders, and visitors to experience it firsthand and understand its role in enabling mass-affordable, AI-ready computing across the state.
Announcing the launch, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & BT, said: “KEO is Karnataka’s practical answer to the digital divide. It is not a luxury device; it is an inclusion device. Affordable mass computing will allow every student, every small business, and every household to participate fully in the digital economy.”
Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, KEONICS, said: “KEONICS is leaning into its legacy and mission of driving electronics innovation. By adopting an open-source RISC-V stack, KEO strengthens Karnataka’s commitment to accessible, locally adaptable, home-grown computing
KEO will be deployed across schools, universities, small businesses, government offices, and homes, creating direct pathways for digital learning, skilling, and entrepreneurship. It forms a core pillar of Karnataka’s mission to drive decentralised tech growth across all districts and ensure equal digital opportunity for every Citizen.
