A low-cost personal computer (PC) developed by Karnataka’s Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology in collaboration with the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) will be unveiled during the first day of the Bengaluru Tech Summit, starting on Tuesday.
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At a news conference held ahead of the summit, IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday that the micro-PC named KEO–Knowledge based, Economical and Open Computing–was aimed at bridging the digital divide. “It is not a luxury device. It is an affordable tool accessible to all,” he said, noting that the device was aimed at students, small businesses, and households.
The low-cost computer is integrated with artificial intelligence, built on an open-source RISC-V processor, and runs on a Linux-based operating system. It is designed to be affordable as fewer than 10 per cent of Indian households own a computer. A note issued by the department said that studies showed that computers are essential for education, coding, online classes and hybrid learning. Due to the lack of suitable devices, more than 60 per cent of the students are unable to participate in online learning, which in turn contributed to dropout rates, it added.
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The device is equipped with 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB A and USB C ports, HDMI, and an audio jack. Tools for learning, programming, and productivity will be pre-installed on the device. KEO also features an on-device AI core, enabling artificial intelligence to function locally even without internet access, which is aimed at helping students in low-connectivity regions. The computer will also include BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the Karnataka state syllabus curriculum.
At the inaugural ceremony of the Bengaluru Tech Summit, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will unveil KEO. The device will be showcased to the public throughout the summit, Kharge said. KEO is expected to be deployed in schools, universities, small enterprises, government offices, and households.
The Bengaluru Tech Summit will be held from November 18 to 20, with the theme “Futurise”. The organisers are anticipating a footfall of more than 50,000 business visitors from 60 countries and will host more than 100 sessions and 1,000-plus exhibitors during the three-day event.