Unicaus NEWS
“KEO embodies the spirit of Karnataka — designed, developed and assembled right here by native startups and Kannadigas”Priyank Kharge Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development, Karnataka
KEO, which stands for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source, goals to make clever computing accessible on the grassroots and empower residents throughout Karnataka, officers stated.
KEO, developed by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT in collaboration with KEONICS (Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited), shall be formally unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the inaugural ceremony of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025, which begins on November 18.
Speaking on the pre-event curtain-raiser of BTS 2025, Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development Priyank Kharge stated, “Karnataka is launching its personal inexpensive AI private laptop. This is the primary time anyplace on this planet {that a} State has taken such a daring and disruptive step. KEO embodies the spirit of Karnataka — designed, developed and assembled right here by native startups and Kannadigas.”
Priyank Kharge stated that the machine is constructed to make sure ‘each scholar, engineer, creator, innovator and family has entry to highly effective, clever computing on the grassroots, not simply on the prime of the pyramid’.
“KEO is Karnataka’s sensible reply to the digital divide. It isn’t a luxurious machine, however an inclusion machine. Affordable mass computing will enable college students, small companies and households to take part totally within the digital economic system,” the Minister stated.
Features of KEO
According to a press release, KEO runs on an open-source RISC-V processor with a Linux-based OS, delivering a full computing expertise at an accessible value level.
It options 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI and audio help, and comes pre-loaded with studying, programming and productiveness instruments.
The machine contains an on-device AI core, enabling AI purposes to run regionally with out web entry.
It comes pre-loaded with BUDDH, an AI agent educated on the Karnataka DSERT syllabus, designed to help college students even in low-connectivity areas.
KEO shall be showcased all through the summit, permitting college students, start-ups, business leaders and guests to expertise the machine first-hand and perceive its potential in enabling mass-affordable AI-ready computing throughout Karnataka.
Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman of KEONICS, stated, “By adopting an open-source RISC-V stack, KEO strengthens Karnataka’s dedication to accessible, regionally adaptable, home-grown computing options. The machine shall be deployed throughout faculties, universities, small companies, authorities workplaces and houses, creating pathways for digital studying, skilling and entrepreneurship.”
He added, “KEO forms a core pillar of Karnataka’s mission to build decentralised tech growth across all districts and ensure equal digital opportunities for every citizen.”
Theme of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025
The theme of the twenty eighth version of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, organised by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), is ‘Futurise’.
The summit will deliver collectively world leaders, policymakers, buyers, start-ups, and innovators to discover rising frontiers in deep-tech, bio-tech and health-tech, semiconductors, and start-up innovation.
