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KEO, short for Knowledge-Driven, Economical, Open-Source, is a compact, AI-ready personal computer designed and manufactured entirely in Karnataka to help bridge the digital access gap.
The state government says the tool aims to make intelligent computing accessible at the grassroots level and empower citizens in the districts.
Karnataka Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge said the team ultimately aims to bring the price down further once the barriers to rare-earth material come down.
“This is the first time anywhere in the world that a state has taken such a bold and disruptive step. KEO embodies the spirit of Karnataka, designed, developed and assembled here by local startups and Kannadigas,” he said at the pre-event curtain-raiser of BTS 2025.
Kharge said the device is India’s first AI PC capable of handling 4 trillion calculations per second. It can be deployed in small businesses, startups, government offices, and homes.
The computer supports 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI, and audio output. It comes preloaded with learning, programming, and productivity tools along with an on-device AI core that allows applications to run locally without the need for Internet access.
KEO also works with BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the Karnataka DSERT curriculum to assist students, including in areas with low connectivity.
Kharge said, “KEO is a practical answer to Karnataka’s digital divide. It is not a luxury device but an inclusion device. Affordable mass computing will allow students, small businesses and families to fully participate in the digital economy.”
Although the government is not setting up a manufacturing unit immediately, it has partnered with a semiconductor design company, startups and other ecosystem players to build the KEO.
The device will be formally unveiled at the Bengaluru Tech Summit on November 18, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will also announce its price range.
KEO will be showcased throughout the three-day summit for students, startups, industry leaders and visitors to experience first-hand and understand its potential role in enabling large-scale, affordable AI-ready computing across the state.