5 breakthrough AI innovations from Bengaluru GCCs: Govt of Karnataka report

Bengaluru’s Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are no longer just offshore support units—they are driving some of the most advanced enterprise AI initiatives in the world.

According to the latest The Innovation Chronicle report published by the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, several multinational corporations have transformed their India-based tech centers into strategic engines of research, product development, and AI integration.

From banking and retail to automotive and healthcare, here are five notable innovations emerging from GCCs in Bengaluru, as per the report:

SAP Labs India: AI copilot to streamline enterprise workflows

SAP Labs India has developed ‘Joule,’ a generative AI copilot built to enhance user interactions across SAP’s cloud suite. The tool uses natural language prompts to automate tasks and deliver real-time insights.

Created at the firm’s Bengaluru center, Joule is now embedded into SAP applications globally, contributing to faster task completion and measurable productivity gains.

Microsoft India R&D: AI tools for education and healthcare

Microsoft’s Bengaluru research center has focused on AI solutions for public services. In 2024, it partnered with the Karnataka government to launch a digital assistant for teachers, helping them design personalised and effective lesson plans.

The center has also developed multilingual health chatbots that support both text and voice, aimed at making healthcare information more accessible across rural areas.

Mercedes-Benz R&D India: AI-led efficiency in manufacturing and design

Mercedes-Benz’s Bengaluru unit, its largest R&D facility outside Germany, is integrating generative AI into core automotive processes.

One ongoing project uses AI to predict vehicle paint requirements based on local environmental factors, reducing waste and energy usage. Engineers are also developing AI-powered virtual assistants for in-car infotainment systems, enhancing driver interaction through emotion-sensitive responses.

JPMorgan Chase India: Financial AI at enterprise scale

The Bengaluru division of JPMorgan Chase is at the forefront of the bank’s AI transformation. Teams there are helping integrate a proprietary large language model (LLM) platform with internal financial datasets, enabling smarter decision-making in risk management, asset servicing, and private banking.

The firm’s $17 billion annual tech investment supports over 2,000 AI experts, many of them based in India.

Walmart Global Tech India: Retail intelligence powered by AI

Walmart’s tech hub in Bengaluru is applying AI across its global retail network. Key applications include inventory forecasting using machine learning, real-time substitution suggestions for unavailable products, and recommendation engines that personalise the online shopping experience.

The company is also deploying conversational AI tools for customer support, improving satisfaction and operational efficiency.

These projects reflect a broader trend: Bengaluru’s GCCs are no longer peripheral, they are central to enterprise innovation.

With over 400 GCCs and 25% of India’s digital talent based in Karnataka, the state’s growing role in AI development is becoming increasingly visible. In fact, the government’s GCC policy aims to attract 500 new centers and generate $50 billion in economic output by 2029.