Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Karnataka Explores ElevenLabs Voice AI For Citizen Services
The Karnataka government is talking with ElevenLabs about using computer-generated voices to help people.
The technology could help young people practice job interviews.
It could also support learning in Indian languages.
Investors might use it to find information about opportunities and government programs.
The discussions included possible healthcare and cultural uses.
One idea is helping people who can no longer speak communicate with a restored voice.
Officials also want to stop fake computer voices from spreading false information.
They plan to create a pilot project before expanding the technology.
Priyank Kharge said AI should solve real problems and benefit citizens responsibly.
Karnataka is exploring pilot projects with ElevenLabs to use voice AI across public services, skilling, healthcare, culture and investment promotion.
Potential applications include interview practice, Indian-language learning, investor assistance and information about government schemes.
The discussions also covered restoring voices for people who have lost the ability to speak.
Officials emphasized safeguards against deepfakes, misinformation and misuse of AI-generated voices in government communications.
Minister Priyank Kharge called for an initial pilot and a roadmap focused on effective, accessible and responsible AI services.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, Minister Priyank Kharge, senior officials and an ElevenLabs team.
- What
- They are exploring voice AI pilot projects for citizen services, skilling, healthcare, culture and investment promotion.
- When
- The discussions took place on Thursday; the ElevenLabs India Summit in Bengaluru is planned for October.
- Where
- Karnataka, with the company’s India Summit planned in Bengaluru.
- Why
- To make services more accessible and effective, improve skills and investment assistance, and develop responsible AI safeguards.
Public-Service Innovation
Responsible-Use Safeguards
Government use of voice AI
Public-Service Innovation
Voice AI could improve access to services, support job preparation and skilling, help investors, and create healthcare and cultural applications.
Responsible-Use Safeguards
Government deployments must be carefully designed so AI-generated voices cannot be misused for false announcements or misinformation.
Moving toward deployment
Public-Service Innovation
Karnataka officials want an initial pilot that demonstrates tangible public impact and could eventually scale across the state.
Responsible-Use Safeguards
Before scaling, officials and ElevenLabs need safeguards for deepfakes, along with detection, provenance, traceability and watermarking systems.
- Government
- Karnataka government
- Technology company
- ElevenLabs
- Minister involved
- Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance
- Proposed applications
- Interview practice, Indian-language skilling, investor assistance, healthcare, culture and citizen services
- Voice restoration
- Potential support for people who have lost the ability to speak
- Safety measures
- Synthetic-audio detection, provenance, traceability and watermarking
- Next step
- Developing an initial pilot and a roadmap for the identified areas
- Related event
- ElevenLabs India Summit in Bengaluru in October