Karnataka Equips Police with AI-Powered Drones, Upskills Youth

In a recent development, the Karnataka government has taken significant steps to enhance public safety and create new opportunities for the youth. On Thursday, the state's home minister, G Parameshwara, presented advanced surveillance drones - Nimble-Eye and OS01 - to the Kalaburagi district police commissioner, SD Sharanappa.

These Karnataka-manufactured drones feature AI-enabled capabilities, including round-the-clock surveillance, number plate recognition, and crowd and vehicle monitoring. The introduction of these sophisticated drones aims to make the state's police forces "smarter, faster and more responsive" in their operations across districts.

Alongside the deployment of the new drone technology, the Karnataka government, through its IT and BT minister, Priyank Kharge, has announced plans to train 500 Kalaburagi youth in DGCA-certified drone operations. This initiative seeks to prepare the local youth for future jobs and new livelihoods in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, disaster management, and infrastructure monitoring, leveraging the growing drone industry.

Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized the state's commitment to fostering technological advancements and creating integrated, efficient governance systems that drive rural transformation and provide opportunities for the youth.