Airtel and Google's $15 Billion AI Transformation in India

Bharti Airtel partners with Google to establish India's premier AI hub and data center in Visakhapatnam, investing $15 billion by 2030. The project will elevate India's digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, fostering AI innovation, and empowering businesses. The initiative is pivotal for national economic growth and digital inclusivity.

In a significant development for India's digital landscape, Bharti Airtel has announced a strategic partnership with Google to establish the country's first mega Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub and data center, located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Backed by an investment of approximately USD 15 billion between 2026 and 2030, this venture is poised to become the largest of its kind in India.

The facility will integrate gigawatt-scale data center operations, subsea network infrastructure, and clean energy systems to support massive AI workloads. Collaborating with ecosystem partners like Airtel and AdaniConneX, the project aims to create a purpose-driven data center and a state-of-the-art Cable Landing Station (CLS) to anchor Google's international subsea cables. These cables are set to deepen India's connectivity with Google's extensive global network, improving data flows with low latency and high efficiency.

This partnership is anticipated to substantially bolster India's digital infrastructure, facilitating broader access to AI technologies across industries. With Visakhapatnam as a new hub on the AI map, Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, described the initiative as a 'defining moment in India's digital future.' As India gears up for the AI-driven era, this collaboration stands to enhance digital inclusivity, innovation, and economic growth nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)