Bengaluru, 27 Feb

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said Artificial Intelligence must remain a tool to enhance human creativity and not replace artists, stressing ethical use, protection of intellectual property and fair compensation in the AVGC-XR sector. He said the sector had the potential to generate 20 lakh jobs in the State in the next five years.

Speaking after inaugurating the seventh edition of Bengaluru GAFX- Games, Animation and Visual Effects Conference, themed "Evolution Reloaded", in the City, he reaffirmed Karnataka's commitment to the AVGC-XR sector was not recent or reactive, asserting, "We have been pioneers."

"Today, GAFX represents the next great frontier. The Games, Animation and Visual Effects sector is no longer a small creative industry. GAFX is shaping how humanity experiences stories, culture, education and even governance," he said.

"Technology should amplify human potential, not erase it. The soul of storytelling is human emotion, something no algorithm can replicate in its fullness," he said.

He called for ethical use of AI, saying it should have "respect for intellectual property, data privacy, (and) fair compensation”.

Emphasising expansion beyond Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said digital creative clusters are being promoted in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi and other emerging cities.

"We want the next great game designer or VFX innovator to emerge not only from the capital, but from every district of Karnataka," he said.

The CM said Karnataka should be known not only as the Silicon Valley of India but also as the "Creative Capital" of the Digital World.

With the potential to create 20 lakh jobs over the next five years, the sector would generate employment across design, coding, storytelling, music, motion capture, AI modelling and production management, he said.

Outlining five strategic priorities, Siddaramaiah said the State would focus on building a future-ready talent pipeline, strengthening infrastructure, supporting startups and original intellectual property, expanding opportunities beyond Bengaluru, and building global partnerships.