BEYOND THE SILICON HUB: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY IN KARNATAKA'S HIGHER EDUCATION (2024-2026)

This paper works a systematic narrative review methodology to examine the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and institutional autonomy in Karnataka’s higher education sector during the period 2024–2026. The study looks at developments within the National Education Policy 2020 by drawing on over 30 different sources. These include academic publications and official policy documents that help track recent progress. By applying sociological theories—specifically academic capitalism and algorithmic governance—the paper uncovers three shifting patterns. It explores how AI transforms teaching, impacts institutional independence, and creates new structures for data-centric control. AI improves efficiency and student outcomes, yet it simultaneously creates new layers of algorithmic control and structural inequality. This paper addresses these complications by proposing an 'Adaptive Autonomy' model. This framework helps conceptualize how schools can stay independent while embracing technological change. The paper contributes to contemporary higher education research by offering a region-specific and theoretically integrated analysis of AI-mediated transformation in India.