AMCHAM’s Karnataka Chapter signature program, held on May 14th at The Oberoi, Bengaluru, convened key government officials and industry leaders to deliberate on the theme ‘Future Ready Karnataka: Deep Tech & Skill Synergy for the Global Economic Leap.’ The event was hosted in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka, K-Tech, and Startup Karnataka, and explored the state’s readiness to lead India’s deep tech revolution and skill transformation. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM India, opened the program with appreciation for the longstanding partnership with the Government of Karnataka and emphasized Karnataka’s position as an economic powerhouse, with its per capita income surpassing the national average and its leadership in biotechnology, services, and advanced manufacturing. Highlighting the strategic importance of the state, she shared about the investments and presence of companies like Boeing, Microsoft, AMD, and Micron across sectors such as aerospace, electronics, and semiconductors. Underscoring Karnataka’s appeal to U.S. companies, she cited its skilled talent base and citizen-centric governance as key enablers. Ms. Khanna concluded by reaffirming AMCHAM’s commitment to building strong industry-government collaboration, particularly in areas like skilling, innovation, and the growth of global capability centres (GCCs). Mr. Salil Gupte, Chairman, AMCHAM India and President, Boeing India and South Asia, in his opening remarks, spoke of Boeing’s extensive operations in Karnataka and its successful collaboration with MSMEs in the state. Mr. Gupte highlighted key outcomes from the U.S.-India joint statement and their alignment with initiatives already being implemented in Karnataka. He stressed the urgent need for large-scale skilling to meet the workforce demands of increasing foreign investments and expressed AMCHAM’s commitment to transforming geopolitical shifts into business and capability center opportunities. Mr. Ashish Modi, Co-Chairman – Karnataka Chapter, AMCHM and President, Honeywell India, set the context by focusing on the global momentum India is gaining in deep tech. He pointed out that Karnataka houses over 500 GCCs and is rapidly transitioning from traditional IT services to cutting-edge R&D in areas like AI, ML, cyber security, and quantum computing. Mr. Modi stressed the importance of believing in Karnataka’s global competitiveness and taking a strategic and realistic view of the evolving global tech landscape. Welcoming the guest of honour, Mr. Chaitanya Sarawate, Vice Chairman, AMCHAM and President & CEO, GE HealthCare South Asia, acknowledged Dr. Hussain’s role in driving forward Karnataka’s tech policies and inclusive skilling agenda. He reinforced the strategic role of U.S. companies in shaping the state’s innovation and skill development ecosystem.

In his keynote address ‘Karnataka: Silicon Valley of the East,’ Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, Rajya Sabha Member and General Secretary, All India Congress Committee, presented a compelling vision for Karnataka. He emphasized inclusive investments, particularly in tier II and III cities and rural areas. Dr. Hussain announced that the state aims to attract ₹5,000 crore in investments and create 350,000 high-tech jobs by 2029, with deep tech projected to contribute ₹50,000 crore to the state’s GSDP. He also highlighted the historical role of the Congress party in fostering India’s IT and MSME sectors. Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary of the Departments of Electronics, IT, Bt, and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka, delivered a special address on ‘Nipuna Karnataka and Evolving Skill Landscape.’ She emphasized that Karnataka’s 1.2 million-strong tech workforce remains a key advantage for attracting global investments. She highlighted two flagship skilling programs, the Future Skills Program under the Skill Development Department and Nipuna Karnataka under the ITBT Department. Nipuna Karnataka is a ₹100 crore initiative fully designed by industry and aimed at certified employment outcomes. Dr. Caur stressed the flexible and outcome-focused design of the programs, with shared funding models and customized training aligned with industry needs. New pilot models, such as industry linked skilling (ILS), are also being explored to enable direct placement pipelines. Mr. Sandip Patel, Vice Chairman, AMCHAM India and Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia, in his presentation on ‘CSR in Skilling Impact of U.S. Industry in India,’ focused on the convergence of AI, semiconductors, and quantum technologies as the foundation of India’s growth. He cited a World Economic Forum report predicting that 40% of current skills may become obsolete by 2030, and that 87% of executives expect jobs to be augmented by generative AI. He underlined the importance of closing the digital skills gap and mentioned IBM’s goal of skilling 30 million people globally by 2030, including 2 million in India. He spoke of IBM’s partnerships with CBSE, MeitY, and the Ministry of Skill Development to build future-ready curricula. Mr. Patel concluded by emphasizing the role of CSR in building inclusive pipelines of talent and driving equity in the future workforce.

Panel 1: Transforming Talent for Tomorrow – The Role of U.S. Companies in India’s Skilling Revolution was moderated by Mr. Sandip Patel, Vice Chairman, AMCHAM and Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia with panelists Ms. Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Director & Head – Government Affairs & Policy, GE HealthCare (India & South Asia), Mr. Ashish Modi, Co-Chairman – Karnataka Chapter, AMCHAM and President, Honeywell India, Ms. Jhansi Potham, Director of Talent Acquisition at Micron Technology, India and Mr. Gunjan Patel, Director – Skills for Social Impact, Head-AI Skills, Philanthropies, Microsoft India. The discussion focused on how innovation-led partnerships and CSR-driven initiatives are accelerating impactful skilling models. The panel also highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and government in advancing the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Mr. Sandip Patel opened the discussion by emphasizing the significance of addressing India’s skilling gaps through strategic collaborations, particularly within the CSR context. Ms. Shobha Mishra Ghosh provided a med-tech perspective, noting that India’s current $14 billion market is expected to grow to $50 billion by 2030. She highlighted the sector’s dependence on multidisciplinary and cross-functional skills—combining AI, mechanical engineering, software, and life sciences. However, India currently lacks tailored programs to meet these needs. As a result, med-tech companies are forced to invest heavily in in-house training, particularly in manufacturing, due to the shortage of industry-ready talent. Mr. Ashish Modi shared insights across three verticals: aerospace, energy, and automation. In aerospace, he noted that India’s growing aircraft orders demand local manufacturing, a shift that brings both opportunity and pressure to develop new skillsets rapidly. In the energy sector, he pointed to India’s movement toward green fuels—solar, hydrogen, and biofuels—where the workforce lacks sufficient domain knowledge. On automation, Mr. Modi noted the generational challenge, where younger talent often lacks interest or preparedness for highly automated, AI-driven environments. Ms. Jhansi Potham discussed the fast-paced expansion of the semiconductor industry and the widening disconnect between academic output and industry requirements. She emphasized the lack of a robust skill taxonomy and highlighted Micron’s push toward skill-based hiring and early engagement with talent from non-traditional backgrounds. Ms. Potham also noted that despite India’s vast talent pool—over 1.5 million graduates annually—the industry still struggles to find job-ready candidates. She stressed the need for innovative training models and stronger government-industry collaboration to embed critical skills early and ensure readiness.

Throughout the session, panelists echoed the importance of moving beyond conventional classroom training to more sustainable and scalable vocational models. They called for mentorship programs, targeted CSR initiatives, and early engagement with talent from Tier II and III cities, polytechnics, and ITIs. The discussion spotlighted the potential of platforms and forums that enable collaboration across organizations to create a multiplier effect in skilling outcomes. The session concluded with a collective call to action: U.S. companies operating in India must continue to lead with innovation in skilling, forge deeper partnerships with academia and government, and adopt a systems-level approach to create a truly future-ready and inclusive workforce.

In his special address, Mr. Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, IAS, Director, Directorate of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology and Ex-Officio Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka, shared valuable insights on the pivotal role that the Government of Karnataka plays in advancing GCCs (global capability centers). He highlighted the collaborative initiatives undertaken by KITS and the state government. Mr. Sankanur emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation, talent development, and infrastructure that supports the growth of GCCs in the region. He reiterated the importance of partnerships between industry and government in driving Karnataka’s position as a preferred destination for high-end global capability centers.

Panel 2: Refining BFS Global Capability Centers (GCCs) for the Future featured insights from Mr. Ravi Vasantraj, Global Delivery Head at Mphasis, who moderated the session, along with distinguished speakers Mr. Gangadhar Pai, Vice President – Information Technology, Global Services, Fiserv, Mr. Ravi Krishnan, Chief Administrative Officer & Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Services India, Ms. Veda Persad, Country Executive, Northern Trust, India and Ms. Sunita Naik, Senior Managing Director & Country Lead, State Street Global Advisors India. The discussion began with reflections on how the BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) sector in India has evolved, particularly in the context of GCCs. Speakers highlighted the transformation over the past two decades, with India-based offices becoming critical to global operations. For instance, Goldman Sachs now has its second-largest office outside the U.S. in India, while Northern Trust’s India operations account for a third of its global footprint. This growth signifies a paradigm shift, with GCCs evolving from support centres to strategic global partners. Speakers emphasized the transition from mere capability delivery to holistic partnerships, driven by the integration of advanced technologies like AI and GenAI. While AI augments processes, human insight remains essential. Organizations are leveraging data from global conversations to deliver more time-sensitive, scalable, and effective client solutions. A standout example shared was Goldman Sachs’ development of algorithmic trading platforms—coded in India two decades ago—which use proprietary language and underscore the country’s deep engineering capabilities.

However, the adoption of GenAI comes with risks that must be carefully managed. Creating resilient ecosystems was a recurring theme, with a strong focus on nurturing talent proficient in mathematics and statistics. As service delivery becomes more automated, the talent pyramid has shifted. Entry-level roles are diminishing while management layers are flattening. Although many companies have mandated future-skills training, others expect self-driven upskilling. Understanding the business end-to-end and aligning closely with client needs is becoming increasingly vital. On operating models, the panel noted that legacy technology debt often limits rapid transformation in BFSI firms. Still, there is a push toward leaner, more agile platforms. The contrast between the agility of start-ups and the depth of established firms was discussed, with an acknowledgment that newer players have demonstrated nimbleness in the past 9–10 years. To stay competitive, organizations must focus on purposeful talent development, strong program management, end-to-end ownership, and a culture of innovation that opens new frontiers within the enterprise.

Ms. Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka delivered a special address which highlighted the importance of future-proofing Karnataka’s industrial strategy while showcasing tangible progress. As 67% of the global economy now lies in the services sector, Karnataka is well-positioned to lead with its strength in high-value services, design, and engineering. The state’s leadership in GCCs, aerospace, and manufacturing has made Bengaluru one of the top three global cities in this space. Karnataka produces 52% of India’s machine tools and contributes 60% to the country’s biotech output and 40% to electronics design. Ms. Krishna emphasized that while governments may evolve, Karnataka’s commitment to policy continuity and delivery remains firm. What has been promised has been delivered, despite infrastructure challenges that the government continues to address—particularly through initiatives like the proposed twin-city model focused on R&D. The state’s future direction involves supporting employment-driven manufacturing sectors and investing in emerging industries. She acknowledged the strong faith U.S. companies have shown in Karnataka’s ecosystem, citing investments by Lam Research, Micron, and Texas Instruments in emerging technologies. With its strategic positioning and innovation-friendly environment, Karnataka is set to become a hub for the next wave of industrial growth. Ms. Krishna concluded by calling for deeper collaboration between government, industry, academia, and business leaders to drive continuous improvement and better understand the evolving needs of industry.

Panel 3: Powering the Future: How GCCs Can Lead with Emerging Technologies was moderated by Ms. Shalini Pillay, India Leader – Global Capability Centres, KPMG in India, with Ms. Gunjan Krishna IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development & Director of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Ms. Ritu Rakhra, Head – HR, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Mr. Sanjay Kataria, Vice President & Managing Director, Inteva Products, Ms. Praveena Bhimavarapu, SVP & Country Head, Maximus India and Mr. Anish Chandy, Industry Solutions Leader – Microsoft, India & South Asia. The discussion emphasized how GCCs are steadily moving up the value chain by focusing on innovation and leveraging Karnataka’s sectoral and locational advantages. Karnataka, being home to some of the world’s largest GCCs, continues to attract investment due to its deep talent pool and development of techno-functional skills, enabling it to drive next-level growth. Speakers noted that we are at a unique inflection point where there is an opportunity to digitize and integrate value chains using emerging technologies. These technologies—ranging from cloud, proof-of-concept AI, and GenAI to multilingual AI-enabled customer support—are now delivering impact at population scale. The rapid evolution of technology is making solutions better, faster, and more cost-effective. As a result, innovation hubs, AI academies, and company-specific technology incubators are becoming central to the GCC ecosystem.

AI is playing a pivotal role in driving productivity and efficiency, particularly in manufacturing and sustainability-focused sectors like electric vehicles. Automotive technology has undergone a massive transformation, with embedded systems and software engineering now leading the way. GCCs are no longer viewed as backend operations; they are driving core engineering, innovation, and customer experience. The conversation also explored how AI is becoming integral to customer interactions, risk prediction, and decision-making. Microsoft’s vision—from putting a PC in every home to empowering every individual—has evolved into creating GenAI copilots that can support autonomous functions, provided they are governed by robust guardrails to prevent errors like hallucinations. Over the last 5–6 years, companies have adopted AI-driven bots to enhance service delivery. The panel stressed the importance of upskilling talent to keep pace with these advancements. Many companies are partnering with academic institutions, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities, to build future-ready talent pools, with a special focus on women’s participation. In conclusion, for tech-led organizations to thrive, it is essential that technology adoption is embedded in leadership thinking. Talent and innovation must go hand in hand to enable GCCs to lead the future of emerging technologies.

Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), Government of Karnataka, in his special address, highlighted that there were over 3,000 GCCs worldwide, with projections estimating that this figure would generate $100–150 billion in value over the next 3–5 years. Of this, India alone was contributing $65 billion, with Karnataka playing a central role in this transformation. He noted that 65% of the global GCC business was flowing through Karnataka, with $25 billion directly attributed to the state. Karnataka—and particularly Bengaluru—was described as the starting point for most GCC journeys. He further reflected on the evolution of GCCs, which began as early as 1987, noting that the sector had been continuously rewriting its operating models since then. As part of the vision for a ‘Future-Ready Karnataka, Future-Ready India,’ Mr. Gupta emphasized that every GCC had its own unique story of innovation. He underscored that the mantra for the future of GCCs was no longer centered around headcount, but around value creation—enhancing the bottom line and integrating more deeply with the parent company. He emphasized that innovation would be the key to sustaining leadership in the GCC space. While some centers were already pioneering cutting-edge technologies, he observed that many still had significant ground to cover. In his view, engaging with global leaders required shifting the conversation from headcount to the broader opportunities for global innovation and co-creation. Mr. Gupta shared that KDEM was keen to partner with global companies and their leadership teams to foster such innovation. He expressed openness to engaging directly with global leadership to co-create new solutions. Furthermore, he underlined the responsibility of GCC leaders to expand the ecosystem beyond Bengaluru, noting that cities like Mysuru and Hubballi held immense untapped potential. He advocated for adopting a “Bengaluru +1” strategy to seize low-hanging fruit, unlock underutilized capacity in Tier II cities, and drive more inclusive growth across Karnataka. Ms. Ranjana Khanna, Director General CEO, AMCHAM closed the program and thanked all the speakers and attendees.