Google has announced plans to establish a major artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh — a move aimed at accelerating India’s AI-led digital transformation. The facility will bring together advanced AI infrastructure, large-scale data centre capacity, expanded energy generation, and an extended fibre-optic network, all within one integrated location.

The company’s commitment, valued at around $15 billion (USD) over five years (2026–2030), marks Google’s largest investment in India to date. The initiative supports the Indian Government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision to promote nationwide technological advancement.

source: google news

A study conducted by Access Partnership and commissioned by Google estimates that the AI hub could contribute a further $15 billion (USD) to the United States economy over the same period, through new activity generated by AI and cloud adoption, and by leveraging American expertise and resources in its development. The project represents a pivotal opportunity for both India and the United States, driving shared innovation and economic growth.

Launch at Bharat AI Shakti

The announcement was made during Bharat AI Shakti, a Google-hosted event in New Delhi held ahead of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. Dignitaries in attendance included:

• Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT;

• Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs;

• Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh;

• Shri Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics, Communications, RTG and HRD, Government of Andhra Pradesh; and

• Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud.

Government and Industry Reactions

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s IT Minister, expressed his appreciation for Google’s decision, noting that the investment will play a major role in achieving the country’s AI ambitions. “This infrastructure will go a long way towards realising our India AI mission,” he said. “We are grateful to the Prime Minister for his vision to embed technology into every aspect of daily life. I encourage the industry to focus on large-scale reskilling and upskilling, and thank Google for making this a central part of their agenda.”

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu added: “This landmark investment marks a new era in India’s digital transformation. Hosting the nation’s first gigawatt-scale data centre and Google’s first AI hub in India highlights our shared dedication to innovation, AI adoption, and supporting local businesses and start-ups.”

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, commented: “The Visakhapatnam AI hub represents a milestone in India’s digital development. Delivering leading AI infrastructure at scale will help businesses innovate faster and promote inclusive economic growth. This collaboration reflects our joint commitment to using AI responsibly for the benefit of society.”

Accelerating India’s AI Transformation

The new Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam will feature a purpose-built data centre campus, providing gigawatt-scale computing power to meet growing demand for digital and AI services in India and beyond. Developed in partnership with AdaniConneX and Airtel, it will utilise the same advanced infrastructure that supports global Google products such as Search, Workspace, and YouTube.

The facility will enable organisations to build and scale AI-driven solutions, enhance research and innovation, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in AI technologies. Once operational, it will join Google’s network of AI data centres across 12 countries, benefitting from R&D expertise based in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.

New International Subsea Gateway

As part of the investment, Google will construct a new international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam. The project will include multiple undersea cables connecting India’s east coast to Google’s two million miles of existing terrestrial and subsea cable systems worldwide.

This development will help meet India’s rising digital connectivity needs, add route diversity to complement existing cable landings in Mumbai and Chennai, and enhance the resilience and capacity of the nation’s digital backbone. Faster, more reliable connections are expected to drive greater inclusivity and extend the benefits of AI and cloud computing to people and businesses across India.

Expanding Energy Capacity and Sustainability

Google, known for operating some of the world’s most energy-efficient data centres, will collaborate with local partners to develop new transmission lines, renewable energy sources, and energy storage systems in Andhra Pradesh. These initiatives will contribute to India’s clean energy goals and bolster the resilience of the national electricity grid.

The company emphasised its commitment to responsible growth, ensuring that the expansion aligns with sustainability objectives while supporting India’s ambition to become a global AI and digital powerhouse.