GIA Roundtable at Bengaluru GAFX 2026 Aligns Global Studios, Industry and Government on Skilling, AI and Co-Production Blueprint
Bengaluru, NFAPost: Karnataka has formally initiated a strategic transition of its AVGC-XR sector from a predominantly service-led growth model to one anchored in original intellectual property (IP) creation, with Priyank Kharge chairing high-level consultations at the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) International Roundtable during Bengaluru GAFX 2026.
The consultations brought together global studios, gaming companies, GIA partners, academic institutions and ecosystem stakeholders to craft a structured blueprint for strengthening IP ownership, global storytelling capabilities, AI preparedness and international market access.
From Service Provider to Global Creator
Addressing the gathering, Minister Kharge underscored the urgency of moving beyond outsourced service delivery.
“If the industry succeeds, the government succeeds. As AI rapidly transforms animation, gaming and content creation, Karnataka must stay ahead of disruption. Our focus is clear — strengthen skilling, expand global collaboration through the GIA framework, and move decisively from a service-led model to one driven by original IP creation,” he said.
The message marked a policy inflection point: Karnataka intends to position itself not merely as a global backend for animation and gaming services, but as a source of globally competitive content and characters.
Global Delegations and Industry Alignment
The roundtable was attended by senior state officials including Dr. Manjula N., Secretary, Department of Electronics, IT & BT and S&T; and Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur, Managing Director, Karnataka Innovation & Technology Society (KITS), alongside international delegates from Australia, Finland, Italy, France and major industry bodies such as FICCI AVGC Forum, CII and leading gaming studios Press Release – Minister Leads ….
The diversity of participants reflected Karnataka’s growing global integration within the AVGC-XR and gaming ecosystem.
Key Strategic Pillars Discussed
1. Skilling & Employability
Participants emphasised that IP leadership must be built on industry-validated, employment-oriented curricula. The Minister invited proposals under Karnataka’s emerging technology upskilling programmes to extend structured training to AVGC-XR talent pipelines Press Release – Minister Leads ….
2. AI & Technological Disruption
Discussions centred on preparing studios and startups for AI-driven transformation. Stakeholders called for regulatory clarity, IP safeguards and proactive policy frameworks while leveraging multilingual AI and immersive technologies.
3. Co-Production & Global Collaboration
Global partners shared insights on co-production treaties, incentive models and startup exchange frameworks. The Minister committed to expanding the Global Innovation Alliance to actively integrate AVGC-XR and gaming, including structured co-production forums and soft-landing pathways.
4. IP Creation & Market Access
Industry leaders stressed the need for stronger publishing, distribution and global discoverability mechanisms for Indian-origin IP. The State invited collaboration on a comprehensive IP roadmap spanning animation, gaming, XR technologies and AI-enabled tools.
5. Gaming & eSports Ecosystem
Consultations explored institutionalising an annual eGaming Summit and expanding Centres of Excellence to accelerate animation, gaming and immersive tech R&D.
6. Sustainability & Responsible Growth
Future policy frameworks will integrate energy-efficient infrastructure and sustainable technology ecosystems to ensure long-term competitiveness.
A Structural Shift in Karnataka’s Creative Economy
The GIA Roundtable signals a deliberate structural pivot. Karnataka, long recognised as India’s AVGC outsourcing hub, is now formalising its ambition to become a global IP powerhouse.
The consultations at Bengaluru GAFX 2026 indicate that this transition will rest on three converging pillars:
- Talent transformation through structured skilling
- AI-enabled creative pipelines
- Deepened global co-production and market access frameworks
If implemented effectively, the blueprint could redefine Karnataka’s role in the global creative technology value chain — from service executor to original creator.
As Minister Kharge framed it, the objective is clear: Karnataka must evolve from being a service provider to becoming a global originator of ideas, characters and immersive experiences.
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