Google to Invest $15 Billion in India to Build Its Largest AI Hub Outside the U.S.
Google has announced a landmark $15 billion investment in India, marking its biggest artificial intelligence expansion outside the United States. The tech giant revealed plans to establish a gigawatt-scale AI hub and data centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, a move set to accelerate India’s growing role in global technology innovation. The announcement was made in New Delhi by Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, who described the initiative as “the largest AI hub we are investing in anywhere outside of the U.S.”
Over the next five years, Google’s multibillion-dollar plan aims to strengthen India’s digital backbone while catering to the surging demand for AI-powered solutions. With over 900 million internet users expected by the end of 2025, India is becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. The Visakhapatnam hub is expected to expand to multiple gigawatts of capacity, enabling cloud computing, AI training, and advanced data processing capabilities that could transform industries ranging from finance to healthcare.
Government officials hailed the move as a milestone for India’s technology ambitions. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Information Technology, thanked Google for its confidence in India’s digital vision, saying the investment “will go a long way in meeting the goals of our India AI mission.” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also celebrated the deal, calling it a “very happy day” for the state, while Technology Minister Nara Lokesh described it as “a game-changing investment” born from “a year of intense discussions and relentless effort.”
The announcement comes amid a wave of international tech interest in India’s booming AI ecosystem. U.S. startup Anthropic recently confirmed plans to open an office in the country next year, following a meeting between its CEO Dario Amodei and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, OpenAI and Perplexity have also ramped up their presence, with OpenAI set to launch an India office and Perplexity partnering with telecom giant Airtel to provide AI tools to 360 million users.
As global tech leaders race to tap into India’s vast market and skilled talent pool, Google’s $15 billion bet underscores the country’s growing importance as a hub for AI innovation and digital infrastructure. With strong government support and private-sector momentum, India is positioning itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as a driving force in shaping the future of artificial intelligence worldwide.
source: punch