Google to Invest in Major AI Hub in Visakhapatnam
In a significant development for India’s digital landscape, Google has revealed plans to create a substantial artificial intelligence (AI) and data center hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This new facility will be Google’s largest AI center outside the United States and highlights the growing role India plays in the global tech scene.
Thomas Kurian, the CEO of Google Cloud Global, shared the exciting news, stating, “We’re very pleased to announce a new gigawatt-scale AI hub in Visakhapatnam — the largest AI hub we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world outside the United States.” He mentioned that the project will involve a hefty investment of $15 billion over the next five years and aims to expand to multiple gigawatts.
This facility will be an important part of Google’s expanding network, which includes AI centers in 12 different countries. Besides serving as a data powerhouse, the Visakhapatnam hub will enhance connectivity. Google plans to install its subsea cable infrastructure there, connecting the city to its global digital network. Kurian emphasized that the project is about building digital infrastructure as well, not just AI technology.
The Andhra Pradesh government has shown strong support for the initiative. During the signing of the agreement between Google and the state, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu called it a “landmark moment” for the digital future of Andhra Pradesh. He expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister, the finance minister, and the IT minister for their encouragement in making this happen.
Andhra Pradesh’s IT Minister Nara Lokesh highlighted that the first phase of the project, which will cover one gigawatt, is expected to involve an investment of $10 billion. He noted that this project is the result of a year of hard work and discussions, calling it “just the beginning” of a broader vision to boost the state’s digital capabilities.
This announcement is in line with Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to reach a data center capacity of 6 gigawatts by 2029, positioning Visakhapatnam as a key part of India’s digital transformation. The hub is expected to create thousands of jobs and help establish the city as a global center for AI development and connectivity.
On a global scale, Google’s plans come at a time when the demand for AI-driven cloud infrastructure is rising sharply. The company recently raised its capital expenditure forecast for 2025 to $85 billion and has committed $25 billion to AI investments in the U.S. Similar projects are being pursued by other tech giants like Microsoft and AWS, making India a prime destination for large-scale data infrastructure development.
Through its Indian subsidiary, Raiden Infotech, Google plans to establish three campuses in Visakhapatnam, marking a pivotal moment in India’s rise as a digital superpower and positioning Andhra Pradesh at the forefront of the AI revolution.
