Google CEO Sundar Pichai Champions Visakhapatnam as AI Hub

Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Google, shared his surprise at the rapid development of Visakhapatnam into a global centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi on February 19, 2026. Pichai's remarks highlighted a significant change from his memories of the coastal city as a quiet locale during his student years. As he recalled, 'As a student, I used to often take the Coromandel Express train from Chennai up to IIT-Kharagpur.

To get there, we pass through Visakhapatnam, I remember it being a quiet and modest coastal city brimming with potential.' Today, however, Pichai announced plans for a full stack AI hub in Visakhapatnam as part of Google's $15 billion investment in India. This hub is expected to feature a gigawatt scale computing facility and a new international subsea cable gateway. Once operational, the AI hub aims to create numerous jobs while delivering advanced AI solutions to various sectors across India.

The Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department of Andhra Pradesh recently allocated 601.40 acres of land to Adani Infra (India) Limited, which is collaborating with Raiden Infotech India Private Limited, a Google subsidiary, to establish a hyperscale AI data centre close to Visakhapatnam. In response to Pichai's announcement, Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s IT & Human Resources Minister, expressed his pride through a social media post, highlighting the significance of this investment. He stated, 'Thank you Sundar Pichai for your strong vote of confidence at the AI Impact Summit.' This ambitious project underscores both the rapid advancements in technology within the region and Google's commitment to fostering innovation in India through substantial investments.