Adani pledges $100B to build AI data centers as India seeks bigger role in the global AI race | TechCrunch

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The Adani Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, has made a bold commitment to invest a staggering $100 billion over the next ten years in developing AI-focused data centers across the nation. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster India’s position in the rapidly evolving global AI landscape.

Announced recently, this investment marks a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive infrastructure for AI in India, aimed not only at supporting domestic needs but also positioning the country as a global player in AI technologies. With plans running through 2035, the Adani Group expects this venture to catalyze an additional $150 billion in related investments, forecasted to create a $250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem in India.

The decision comes at a crucial time as global investments in AI infrastructure are surging, with many companies exploring options outside the United States for computing power and sustainable energy sources. India, with its burgeoning digital economy and a notable increase in renewable energy capacity, has become an attractive destination for data centers and AI-related initiatives.

This announcement aligns with the ongoing AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where leaders from some of the world’s most prominent AI companies, including OpenAI, Nvidia, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google, are engaging with policymakers and industry executives. It emphasizes the urgency and importance of AI development in India’s economic strategy.

Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, described this venture as a strategic investment in the convergence of energy and computing, asserting that India aspires to be more than just a consumer in the era of AI. The goal is for the group to contribute significantly to the formation of a robust domestic AI infrastructure that can sustain the country’s future technological advancements.

The planned data centers will be powered by renewable energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices while accommodating the growing demands of AI workloads. The facilities will be tailored to scale efficiently, with the vision to deploy up to 5 gigawatts of data-center capacity. This unified approach aims to ensure that power generation can keep pace with processing capabilities, thus enhancing operational efficiency.

Current projects under this plan include the development of large-scale AI data center campuses in Visakhapatnam and Noida, with aspirations to expand to Hyderabad and Pune. Additionally, a renewed partnership with Walmart-owned Flipkart will focus on establishing another AI data center, further enhancing the collaborative ecosystem within the tech industry.

As the AI landscape is continuously evolving, the implications of such a substantial investment by Adani could ripple through various sectors, attracting further investments and accelerating innovation in AI technologies. With established partnerships already in place with tech giants like Google and Microsoft, the Adani Group is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI in India.

This initiative not only underscores the urgent need for advanced computing infrastructure but also highlights India’s commitment to being a significant competitor in the global AI race. As stakeholders across industries consider the long-term benefits of AI developments, Adani’s endeavors may inspire similar initiatives from other organizations, driving a collective push towards technological advancement in India and beyond.

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