Bengaluru, 20 Apr, (APACMedia): The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the setting up of an artificial intelligence–biotechnology hub and a technology museum project in Bengaluru.
The state government cleared a proposal to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on artificial intelligence in biotechnology at the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB) in Electronics City Phase 1. The project will be implemented over four years with an estimated investment of Rs 20 crore and will be developed in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP).
The initiative aims to support research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, a segment gaining importance in areas such as drug discovery, diagnostics, and biological data analysis. The move also signals continued state-level investment in infrastructure that supports academic and research institutions working on emerging technologies.
In a separate decision, the Cabinet approved the development of a Technology and Innovation Museum at the NGEF campus in Baiyappanahalli, east Bengaluru, under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project has an estimated total cost of Rs 100 crore, with Rs 49 crore to be funded by the state government and Rs 51 crore by a private partner.
As part of the project structure, the government approved transferring a 51% stake in the Karnataka Technology & Innovation Museum Foundation (KTIMF) to the Unboxing BLR Foundation, while retaining the remaining share. The proposed museum is intended to function as a public-facing space focused on science awareness and technology engagement, adding to Bengaluru’s existing research and innovation infrastructure.
