Tech giant collaborates with state government and local university to build future-ready artificial intelligence talent.
Samsung India has launched the 2026 edition of its Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) in Karnataka, aiming to equip 2,000 young people with industry-relevant artificial intelligence skills. The launch event for the global educational initiative was attended by Basavaraj Rayareddy, Minister for Higher Education for the Government of Karnataka, alongside senior academics from Nrupathunga University, Bengaluru.
Rolled out in partnership with Nrupathunga University, the programme aligns with Karnataka’s drive to develop an “AI-native” regional tech ecosystem. Targeted at individuals aged 18 to 25, the course offers practical training in core AI and Generative AI concepts, applying coursework to real-world technical challenges. To date, the scheme has trained over 3,000 participants in the state.
The Karnataka roll-out forms part of a broader national push by Samsung India to train 20,000 young citizens across 10 states under SIC 2026. The programme is executed in collaboration with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC). During the 2025 cycle, the initiative trained over 20,000 students nationwide, with women accounting for 48 per cent of total participants.
Shubham Mukherjee, Head of Corporate Communications and CSR at Samsung South West Asia, noted that as Samsung marks 30 years in India, investing in youth skills remains central to supporting the nation’s digital growth. Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy added that public-private partnerships between academia and tech leaders are essential for ensuring students can actively participate in the expanding AI economy.
