Google has just revealed its plans to pour $15 billion into creating a huge artificial intelligence (AI) data center and tech hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This marks their biggest investment in India to date and stands out as one of the most significant commitments to AI infrastructure in Asia.
The ambitious multi-year project is set to create a massive AI data center campus, aiming for gigawatt-scale capacity. This initiative will fuel the rapid expansion of generative AI, cloud computing, and cutting-edge digital services throughout India and the Asia-Pacific region. It is anticipated that this development will turn Visakhapatnam into a key player in Google’s global AI infrastructure network.
Construction is set to kick off in 2026, with plans to start operations by 2028. This expansive campus will feature large-scale server farms, energy-efficient cooling systems, cutting-edge networking infrastructure, and a subsea cable landing gateway aimed at boosting India’s digital connectivity with global markets.
Google’s latest initiative is a key part of its larger plan to boost its AI and cloud capabilities while also supporting the rapid growth of India’s digital economy. Company leaders highlighted that this project showcases Google’s “long-term commitment to developing AI in a responsible and sustainable way,” pointing out that India’s expanding developer community and data-driven economy make it the perfect place for such a significant investment.
The new data center campus is set to run mainly on clean energy sources like solar and wind power, which aligns perfectly with Google’s ambitious goal of being completely carbon-free by 2030. There are already plans in motion to build renewable energy infrastructure in the nearby areas to meet the facility’s significant energy demands.
The investment is set to create over 25,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, spanning fields like construction, data management, engineering, cybersecurity, and local logistics. The Andhra Pradesh government has celebrated this decision as a significant milestone that will boost regional development, draw in supporting industries, and position the state as a key player in data-driven innovation.
Google is teaming up with major Indian companies in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors to boost connectivity and efficiency. Experts in the industry believe this partnership will lead to better internet latency, fortify India’s cloud infrastructure, and expand access to AI-powered services like language models, digital assistants, and analytics tools for both businesses and everyday users.
Experts see this investment as a strong endorsement of India’s push towards digital transformation. In the last ten years, India has become one of the fastest-growing markets globally for cloud computing and AI, with industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing increasingly depending on digital infrastructure.
The project is bound to encounter some major hurdles, such as ensuring a reliable power supply, addressing environmental concerns, and keeping up with India’s ever-changing data protection and localization laws.
Despite the challenges, Google’s significant investment highlights India’s growing importance in the global AI landscape. The data center in Visakhapatnam is set to play a key role in Google’s next-generation AI initiatives, showcasing how major tech companies are placing their bets on India’s potential as a digital leader.
