CIOInsider India Magazine

The 27th Bangalore Tech Summit 2024, the largest technological gathering in Asia, has set sail at the Bangalore Palace today. Bangalore Tech Expo 2024, is organized by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and organized by the Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka. Happening in Bangalore Tech Ecosystem, the event is bringing the innovation in Bangalore 2024 by gathering industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. These leaders will talk about the digital transformation in Bangalore that has happened so far and what is to come next.

What Happened So Far
This year’s theme is"Unbound," which will place glory to technology's capacity cracking traditional boundaries and invite opportunities for international collaborations and innovative developments across diverse sectors.

Three Global Innovation District
The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has handed Karnataka the duty to create three special global innovation districts in Bangalore, Mysuru, and Belagavi.

Karnataka Launches India’s first Global Capability Centre policy
The state of Karnataka has come forward as the first to implement the global capability centers (GCC) policy. In the presence of several international delegates, the CM allotted parks which will be specifically used for GCC companies to set up their shops in the state. To promote growth across tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, and Hubballi-Dharwad, this policy will lay firm emphasis on the "Beyond Bengaluru" initiative. As for the companies, the policy promises to provide incentives to help decentralize innovation hubs and develop untapped talent pools.

Fresh on the topic with Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures, Chairman - VGITE, Govt. of Karnataka who said, “I think GCC policy is going to propel the nation for not just services, but I think R and D innovations and interventions”.

Dr.Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder, Biocon Limited Chairperson - VGBT, Govt. of Karnataka brought to light the challenges human beings are facing today.

Challenges Impeding Human Beings Today
She starts with Solar power, one of the biggest renewable energy sources that we are looking at in combination with energy, but the biggest challenge is storage. Plants have been storing solar energy through photosynthesis. But can solar energy storage being converted into a big bio technology solve this problem?

Next she spoke about was, Artificial Intelligence is an iterative that requires a large language model for understanding, which is based on existing knowledge and existing data. But living systems don't just rely on existing iterative information. They also have something called genetic data.

“So I think biology has a lot more work, and I, for one, believe that we are in the digital age today. We will be in the bioengineering age tomorrow, because that's what the future is heading to”, adds Dr.Kiran.

Two Areas Defining the Next Two Years
Prashanth Prakash, Partner Accel, Chairman - VGST, Govt. of Karnataka - I think there are two areas that I really would define in the next two years. One is what I call people plus AI.

“LLMs help in presentation, communicating knowledge and information to the end user. But the real power lies in the knowledge and the neural networks”.

Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka - “We need to build a strong foundation of academics and skills. Top it up with incubation to drive innovations and inventions, along with enabling market access or commercialization”.

“Perhaps even the government should start coming to the customers first, and provide them with the sandbox environment, bring the policies and then go to market access for not just within the country, but also outside the country”.

The Minister also revealed that, “I think you'll be extremely happy to know that we are already working on the circuit economic policy and security policies”.

What’s More to Come

MoUs with Big Tech Companies
The Karnataka government is expected to ink five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, IBM, and the BFSI at this ongoing event. These agreements are aligned to the objective of providing training for around one lakh individuals.

Letter of Intent Sharjah Innovation Authority (UAE), MoU with Finland and Switzerland
The Karnataka government is looking to sign the papers for a Letter of Intent with the Sharjah Innovation Authority (UAE). Additionally, there are talks going on for two significant MoUs with Finland and Switzerland this year. Known as BTS 2024's official nation partner, Australia is observed to making a big presence with its involvement this year.

India-USA Tech Conference
Among other important activities, the India-USA Tech conference will prove the strength of two countries' cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and space technology.

Events, Workshops, Product Launches and More
The BTS Innovation Dome, will once again entertain its attendees with exciting events, workshops, and product launches among others. It will also give away prestigious honors like the Smart Bio Awards and the STPI IT Export Awards in praise of the work and effort of excellence by the participants.

Further, there will be programs like the "Bio Posters-Walkway of Discovery," for young researchers and students who will be awarded for the skill they showcase in presenting their creative ideas and concepts. This emphasis on innovation and education says a lot about how BTS 2024 not only appreciates business titans but also fosters the next wave of young and upcoming technological trailblazers.

The 2024 Bengaluru Tech Summit is sure to be a historic occasion for technology and innovation thanks to all the efforts pulled off by impressive speakers, national and international audience, and new and different programs for engagement. The focus on cross-border cooperation indicates Karnataka's dedication to staying at the forefront of excellence and technical innovation.