Google to invest $15B in Indian AI infrastructure hub

Core Insights - Google is investing $15 billion to establish a 1-gigawatt data center and AI hub in India, marking its largest investment in the country to date [1][2] - The investment will be executed over the next five years, extending through 2030, following a previous $10 billion commitment made in 2020 [2] Investment Details - The data center will be located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and is part of a broader strategy to enhance Google's infrastructure in India [2][4] - Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian stated that the AI hub will be the largest investment outside the U.S. and will be scaled to "multiple gigawatts" over time [4] Strategic Partnerships - Google has partnered with Bharti Airtel to build the data center and subsea cable infrastructure in Visakhapatnam, and with AdaniConneX for the data center's infrastructure [5][10] - The AI hub will serve as a global connectivity hub, enhancing digital infrastructure across India [5][10] Technological Offerings - The AI hub will provide a full stack of solutions, including custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for local AI processing, and access to Google's AI models and platforms [10][11] - Services supported by the hub will include Google Search, YouTube, Gmail, and Google Ads, aiming to serve not only India but also Asia and other regions [11] Political Context - The investment comes amid Indian government efforts to promote local tech alternatives to U.S. companies, which could pose future challenges for Google and Microsoft in the region [3] - Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed support for the AI hub, suggesting further expansion into the Andaman Islands for global internet data transfer [13]