In a landmark announcement, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed plans for the company’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The tech giant will invest $15 billion over the next five years to build what will become Google’s largest AI hub outside the United States, marking a major step toward strengthening India’s digital and technological ecosystem.
Pichai shared details of the initiative after discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that the project aligns with India’s growing digital economy and its vision for AI-driven innovation. “Great to speak with India’s Prime Minister to share our plans for the first Google AI hub in Visakhapatnam, a landmark development,” Pichai said on social media.
He explained that the facility will integrate gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Together, these components will form a digital powerhouse designed to accelerate AI development for enterprises, developers, and users across India.
The announcement took place during the ‘Bharat AI Shakti’ event held in New Delhi, where Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, elaborated on the company’s broader vision. Kurian stated that the Visakhapatnam hub will become part of Google’s global AI network spanning 12 countries, linking India more deeply into the company’s international data and research infrastructure.
“We will bring our subsea cable systems to Visakhapatnam, making it a key landing station for multiple global networks,” Kurian explained. “This will not only enhance data connectivity across India but also create a robust digital backbone for the region.”
Highlighting Google’s long-standing presence in India, Kurian added that the company now employs 14,000 people across five major offices, including New Delhi and Mumbai. He underscored Google’s continued commitment to expanding its cloud services and device manufacturing within the country.
“This AI hub is the largest investment we’re making outside the US,” Kurian said. “It represents both confidence in India’s digital potential and our commitment to fostering innovation, research, and sustainable energy infrastructure.”
With this massive investment, the Visakhapatnam AI hub is set to transform India into a global AI powerhouse—strengthening connectivity, driving innovation, and powering the next generation of digital growth.
