Google has revealed plans to invest $15 billion in constructing a massive artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The project, which is Google’s largest AI investment outside the United States, will unfold over five years.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said, “It’s the largest AI hub that we are going to be investing in anywhere in the world outside of the United States.” He explained that the Visakhapatnam campus would initially operate at 1 gigawatt capacity but is expected to expand to “multiple gigawatts” as demand for AI and cloud computing grows.
The data centre will be part of Google’s global network of AI hubs across 12 countries, forming the backbone of its expanding cloud infrastructure. The investment will be channelled through Raiden Infotech, Google’s Indian subsidiary, which plans to build three campuses in the coastal city.
Although Andhra Pradesh officials earlier projected a $10 billion valuation, Kurian’s announcement places the figure higher, as the scale of Google’s vision in India’s fast-growing digital economy becomes bigger.
The state government expects the project to create approximately 188,000 jobs, ultimately impacting and boosting the economy.
Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s minister for Human Resources Development, described the deal as the outcome of “a year of intense discussions and relentless effort,” adding that “this is just the beginning.”
The development comes as AI investments surge globally, with technology firms working to expand their computing capacity. Google recently raised its 2025 capital expenditure forecast to $85 billion, citing “strong and growing demand for our Cloud products and services.”
Earlier this year, the company also announced a separate $25 billion plan to enhance its data and AI infrastructure across the United States.
India, home to nearly one billion internet users, continues to attract multinational tech giants seeking to capitalise on the country’s rapid digital expansion. Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Indian conglomerates such as Adani Group and Reliance Industries have all announced similar large-scale data infrastructure projects in recent years.
For Google, India is an important market and the choice for a data centre location is solid. The country hosts the largest number of YouTube users globally, and Android tops smartphone usage.
However, the U.S. tech giant currently faces regulatory challenges in the country, including antitrust investigations and a lawsuit involving a Bollywood couple over YouTube’s AI policy.
However, the $15 billion commitment reveals Google’s long-term confidence in India’s role as an AI innovation hub. The Visakhapatnam facility, once completed, will enhance the region as a key node in the global data and AI ecosystem, ensuring digital infrastructure supports one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
