Work On Google Vizag AI Hub Officially Starts

Google today officially broke ground on its largest-ever investment in India - a massive Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam - marking a major leap in the country's digital and AI infrastructure push.

The project is expected to significantly contribute to the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

The project, part of a $15 billion investment plan, is being developed in partnership with Adani ConneX and Airtel Nxtra. It will feature India's first gigawatt-scale AI hub, with three data centre campuses.

The project also includes subsea cable connectivity, clean energy integration and community-focused initiatives - ranging from water conservation and fisheries digitisation to women's entrepreneurship and AI skilling programs.

The initiative aims to build a broader AI industrial corridor, integrating local industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the global digital ecosystem.

The groundbreaking ceremony at Tarluvada was attended by key leaders, including Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and AP minister Nara Lokesh, along with industry executives from Google, Adani Group and Bharti Enterprises.

US Consul General Laura Williams; Jeet Adani, Chairperson of Adani Group; Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & SEZ; Bikash Koley, Vice President of Google Global Infrastructure (Google Cloud); and Rakesh Mittal, Vice-Chairman of Bharti Enterprises were also present.

Calling the project a cornerstone of India's AI future, Vaishnaw said that it aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a global technology leader.

Naidu said that the AI hub would drive innovation and create high-value jobs, and position Andhra Pradesh as a global digital hub. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian described it as a turning point for India's AI-native future.

The Vizag AI hub is expected to deliver low-latency, high-performance computing infrastructure, enabling businesses, startups and researchers to scale AI-driven innovation, and firmly place India on the global AI map.

As Visakhapatnam grows into a major digital hub, Google is also introducing the Skills Trade and Readiness (STAR) program to create sustainable career paths for local talent and develop a homegrown workforce ready to drive India's digital acceleration. With hands-on training in high demand in construction, welding and facility operations, the program aims to prepare more than 1,000 people from the local workforce for vital roles in developing the city's digital infrastructure.