Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on August 22 launched KEO, an affordable AI-ready computer priced under ₹18,999, designed to democratize access to artificial intelligence and digital learning for government school students across the state.
Developed by KEONICS (Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation) in collaboration with semiconductor partners and AI system integrators, KEO stands for Knowledge-driven, Economical and Open-source. The device features an open-source RISC-V processor architecture, runs on Linux Ubuntu, and includes a dedicated on-device AI accelerator (4 TOPS GPU) that enables AI applications to run locally without constant internet connectivity.
The government will initially deploy 2,222 KEO units across all 31 districts and 239 talukas in Phase 1, targeting Arivu Kendras (village libraries), residential schools, and select government schools. The first batch of 5,000 devices is already ready, with plans to eventually reach every government school in Karnataka, especially in rural areas. Chief Minister Shivakumar called it “not a pilot, but a commitment” to ensure no child’s access to technology depends on their location.
KEO comes preloaded with educational tools including Bhasha Mitra for bilingual learning, spoken English modules, AI-assisted prompt engineering, and Karnataka State Board curriculum content for Classes 6 to 10. The device supports 4G, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connectivity and is designed to help students learn coding, machine learning, and electronics while enabling teachers to use AI-based interactive learning tools.
The KEO launch aligns with Karnataka’s broader AI Akshara Abhiyana and Coding Gurukula initiatives, which introduce AI education from Class 6 across 1,642 government high schools starting this academic year. The state has also signed a ₹1,750 crore agreement with the Asian Development Bank to upgrade 500 government schools with modern infrastructure and AI-enabled learning facilities by 2029-30.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1: What is KEO PC and how much does it cost?
A: KEO is an AI-ready, open-source computer developed by KEONICS, priced under ₹18,999, featuring RISC-V processor, Linux OS, and on-device AI accelerator for offline AI applications.
Q2: How many KEO computers will be deployed in Karnataka schools?
A: Phase 1 will deploy 2,222 units across all 31 districts and 239 talukas, with 5,000 devices ready and plans to eventually reach every government school statewide.
Q3: What educational features does KEO offer for students?
A: KEO includes Bhasha Mitra bilingual learning, spoken English modules, AI prompt engineering tools, and Karnataka State Board curriculum content for Classes 6-10, plus coding and ML learning capabilities.