AI Takes Center Stage at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025

The stage is being set for the 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), with the Karnataka government commencing preparations for what has become one of Asia's most significant technology and innovation congregations. Scheduled to take place from November 18 to 20, 2025, the summit will move to a new, larger venue, the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), to accommodate its expanding scale. In a preparatory move to galvanize global participation, the state's electronics, IT, and biotechnology department recently hosted a Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) meet in Bengaluru, bringing together representatives from over 35 partner countries to lay the groundwork for the flagship event. The summit is anticipated to draw a massive crowd, with projections of over 100,000 attendees, including more than 20,000 startup founders, 1,000 investors, and delegates from over 60 nations, cementing Bengaluru's position as a global tech hub.[1]

Themed 'Futurise', the 2025 summit aims to explore the transformative impacts of technology on various facets of life and industry.[1][2] The agenda is structured around 10 distinct conference tracks, covering a wide spectrum of cutting-edge fields. These include IT and Deep Tech, Electro-Semicon, Digital Health and Biotech, the Startup Ecosystem, an India–US Tech Conclave, Global Collaboration, an AI Universe, Defence and Space Tech, Finverse, and a climate-focused track titled 'My Planet, My Future'.[1] This comprehensive scope reflects the event's evolution into a premier platform for exchanging ideas and addressing future global challenges.[2] A key highlight will be the 'Future Makers Conclave', a platform designed to spotlight changemakers, spiritual leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs. The event will also feature a large-scale exhibition with 1,200 companies, over 100 discussion sessions with 600 international experts, and numerous opportunities for B2B meetings and product launches.[1][3]

A critical component of the summit's international outreach is the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) initiative, which has steadily grown since its inception. What began with about 10 countries in 2018 has now expanded to partnerships with over 30 nations.[1] The GIA serves as a crucial platform for fostering cross-border innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.[4] The recent GIA meet in Bengaluru engaged trade missions and officials from countries like Germany, Australia, the UK, the US, Japan, Israel, and France, among others.[1] These partnerships are designed to be more than ceremonial; they aim to create tangible "skill corridors" and "startup corridors" between Bengaluru and other global tech hubs.[5] For instance, a recent Joint Declaration of Intent was signed between Karnataka and the State of Berlin, Germany, to facilitate startup exchanges, soft-landing support, and deeper collaboration in fintech, AI, and life sciences, with a special emphasis on women-led and green innovation enterprises.[6] Similarly, Chile became the first Latin American country to partner with Karnataka under the GIA, aiming to boost market access and joint R&D initiatives.[4]

The focus on artificial intelligence will be particularly pronounced at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025. The dedicated 'AI Universe' track underscores the technology's central role in the future of innovation.[1] The conference agenda is set to delve into AI-powered drug discovery, AI and machine learning in microelectronics, and the role of generative and agentic AI in business transformation.[2][7] This builds on a consistent trend, as previous summits have also heavily featured AI. The 2024 summit, for example, saw the Karnataka government sign significant Memoranda of Understanding with global tech leaders to promote AI skills.[8] Partnerships with companies like Intel aim to train tens of thousands in AI, while a Letter of Intent with Nvidia to establish an AI Data Centre further highlighted the state's commitment to building a robust AI ecosystem.[9] These initiatives, coupled with discussions on AI adoption and ethical governance, position the summit as a key forum for shaping the trajectory of the AI industry in India and globally.[9][7]

The overarching goal of the Bengaluru Tech Summit and its associated initiatives is to fortify Karnataka's thriving tech ecosystem and drive economic growth. The early announcement of dates for the 2024 and 2025 editions was a strategic move to encourage long-term planning and participation from international organizations.[10] The summit serves as a platform for major policy announcements, such as India's first policy for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which was unveiled at the 2024 event with the aim of attracting more global investments and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.[8][11] Programs like the Startup Springboard, which connects startups with investors and mentors, and the announcement of Startup Awards further showcase the state's commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship.[8][9] By bringing together global tech leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators, the summit acts as a catalyst for collaboration, investment, and talent development, reinforcing Karnataka's status as a powerhouse of technology and innovation for the world.[8][12]