Karnataka leading AVGC-XR revolution, says CM Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday inaugurated the 7th edition of the Bengaluru GAFX – Games, Animation and Visual Effects Conference, themed 'Evolution Reloaded,' and asserted that Karnataka is not merely participating in the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality) evolution but leading it through sustained policy support, talent development and global partnerships.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the conference, Siddaramaiah said Bengaluru was the natural choice to host such an event, describing the city as a place “where imagination meets engineering, where art meets algorithms, and where creativity finds capital.”

He noted that the sector has the potential to generate up to 20 lakh jobs over the next five years across areas such as design, coding, storytelling, Artificial Intelligence (AI) modelling and production management.

He said Karnataka’s talent is already contributing to global cinema, international gaming studios, OTT platforms and animation pipelines, and stressed the need for structured skill development through integration of AVGC-XR courses in universities, engineering colleges, design institutes and polytechnics.

Outlining the state’s vision, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka will focus on building a future-ready talent pipeline, strengthening production infrastructure, supporting startups and original intellectual property creation, expanding opportunities beyond Bengaluru, and deepening global partnerships.

He also addressed the growing role of AI in the creative sector, stating that while AI enhances productivity, it must remain a tool and not replace human creativity. He emphasised the need for ethical use of AI, protection of intellectual property, data privacy and fair compensation for creators.

He noted that Bengaluru has consistently remained at the forefront of technological revolutions, from software and biotechnology to space and deep-tech innovation.

The Chief Minister said the Games, Animation, Visual Effects, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector has emerged as a major driver of the digital economy, shaping how people experience stories, education, culture and governance in the era of immersive media, streaming platforms, e-sports and extended reality.