(Image source from: Thehindu.com)

Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday started the groundwork for a Google Artificial Intelligence data center worth 15 billion dollars, located near Visakhapatnam. This data center, with a capacity of 1 gigawatt, represents a significant advancement in the growth of digital infrastructure in India. It is anticipated to be one of the largest AI data centers in the nation, offering enhanced AI cloud services and extensive data storage options, as stated in an earlier official announcement. The center will be built on 600 acres in the villages of Tarluvada, Adavivaram, and Rambilli, in collaboration with other private partners, with the goal of creating a larger digital ecosystem with multiple gigawatts of capacity in the state. The state government has set a long-term goal to develop a digital ecosystem with a total capacity of approximately 6.5 gigawatts, aiming to make Andhra Pradesh a key data center location.

The 1 gigawatt facility, which will occupy 600 acres in Tarluvada, Adavivaram, and Rambilli villages, is expected to be one of the largest AI data centers in the country, providing sophisticated cloud infrastructure and ample data storage. This scheme is part of a larger plan by Andhra Pradesh to construct a digital ecosystem with a total capacity of around 6.5 gigawatts, establishing the state as a key data center hub. The Adani Group has announced a plan to invest 100 billion dollars into creating combined AI infrastructure involving renewable energy, power transmission, digital networks, and data centers. Jeet Adani remarked that the Vizag project is a crucial point in India's journey towards digital transformation. "There are significant times in history when the future becomes evident and certain. Today is one of those pivotal moments in Visakhapatnam, which is becoming a vital link to India’s digital future," he stated.

Highlighting the importance of large-scale efforts, Adani said, "For India to excel in the AI era, it is essential to develop extensive infrastructure within the country. This is why we are allocating 100 billion dollars to create a platform that fosters AI development in India. " He mentioned that the group is working on an integrated system that includes energy generation, transmission, digital networks, and data centers. "Our mission is to support the ecosystem that AI relies on, as the future of AI will be influenced by infrastructure and powered by energy," he noted. "I would like to thank Google and Mr. Sundar Pichai for their ongoing trust in India’s capability to shape the future of technology, along with Mr. Thomas Kurian and Mr. Bikash Koley for their efforts in making this partnership happen. This collaboration combines global technological expertise, large-scale connectivity, and comprehensive infrastructure capability," Adani concluded.