Pramesh S Jain
IT&BT Minister,Priyank M.Kharge explores deployment of advanced voice AI to strengthen public services,skilling and citizen access
Government of Karnataka is exploring an opportunity to pilot projects using ElevenLabs’advanced voice and conversational AI across skilling, investment promotion, healthcare,culture and citizen services,as the state looks to identify high-impact applications of AI that can improve the delivery of government and public services.
The discussions took place today between Minister for Home,Information Technology,Biotechnology,and E-Governance,Priyank M.Kharge,and the global team from ElevenLabs,including Mr.Ben Supple,Global Head, Public Sector Partnerships and Policy,ElevenLabs;Mr. Nihal Chauhan,APAC Head,Public Sector Partnerships and Policy,ElevenLabs; and Ms.Arielle Andrews,Chief of Staff and General Counsel,ElevenLabs.
Also present at the meeting was Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda,Chairman,KEONICS; Dr.Avinash Menon Rajendran,IAS,Managing Director,KITS;and other senior officials from the Department.
The engagement is part of Karnataka’s broader effort to work with leading technology companies and translate advances in AI into effective,efficient and accessible delivery models for citizens,particularly in areas where technology can simplify access to government services, improve skills and employment outcomes,and strengthen the state’s ability to respond to citizens’ needs.
Potential applications discussed included:
•Voice-enabled interview practice and skilling,including in Indian languages.
•Investor assistance and information services,helping prospective investors navigate opportunities and government schemes.
•Voice restoration for people who have lost the ability to speak.
•Voice technology for cultural and public-service initiatives.
•Responsible AI and voice safety, including safeguards against deepfakes and misinformation.
The ElevenLabs team demonstrated a voice-enabled interview-practice tool and outlined the company’s work on synthetic-audio detection,provenance,traceability and watermarking.
A significant part of the discussion focused on the responsible use of voice AI in government,particularly the potential for AI-generated voices to be used to spread misinformation about government schemes, programmes and announcements.
The Minister called for a clear roadmap across the identified areas and for the teams to work towards an initial pilot that can demonstrate tangible public impact.
“Karnataka has an opportunity to be at the forefront of translating AI innovation into better outcomes for citizens,” said,Priyank M. Kharge,Minister for Home, Information Technology,Biotechnology,and E-Governance.
“Our approach is to engage with companies that are building some of the most capable technologies globally, understand where those technologies can solve real problems, and then move towards pilots that can be scaled across the state.
Whether it is helping a young person prepare for a job, making it easier for an investor to access information, improving citizen services or using AI in healthcare, our focus has to be on building AI delivery models that are effective, efficient, accessible and responsible.”
The ElevenLabs team also invited the Hon’ble Minister to participate in the ElevenLabs India Summit in Bengaluru, scheduled to be held in October,where the company’s leadership will discuss developments in voice AI and its applications in India.
