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Sundar Pichai Announces $15 Billion Google AI Investment in Vizag at AI Impact Summit 2026

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Sundar Pichai Announces $15 Billion Google AI Investment in Vizag at AI Impact Summit 2026
19 Feb 2026
4 min read

News Synopsis

On the fourth day of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, outlined a transformative vision for artificial intelligence in India and globally.

Describing AI as a historic turning point in computing, Pichai stated:

“No technology has me dreaming bigger than AI. It is the biggest platform shift of our lifetimes,”

He added that AI holds the power to help emerging economies leapfrog legacy infrastructure gaps, though its benefits are not automatic and require responsible deployment.

As part of this vision, Google announced a USD 15 billion investment in India’s infrastructure, with Vizag emerging as a key hub.

Vizag to Become Google’s Full-Stack AI Hub

Large-Scale Digital Infrastructure and Compute Power

Google will establish a full-stack AI hub in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) as part of its multi-billion-dollar India expansion strategy.

The upcoming hub will include:

  • Large-scale digital infrastructure

  • Gigawatt-scale compute capacity

  • A new international subsea cable gateway

  • AI-driven job creation and sector-wide deployment

This investment positions Vizag as a strategic node in Google’s global AI infrastructure network, reinforcing India’s rising influence in advanced computing.

During his speech, Pichai reflected on his student memories of visiting Vizag as a:

“quiet coastal city brimming with potential"

He noted how the city has transformed into a fast-growing technology destination, now poised to become a global AI centre.

AI as a Catalyst for Scientific Breakthroughs

AlphaFold and Nobel-Winning Research

Highlighting AI’s real-world impact, Pichai referenced the groundbreaking work of Demis Hassabis and his team at Google DeepMind.

He pointed to AlphaFold, an AI system capable of solving the decades-old challenge of predicting protein structures.

Pichai said:

“This breakthrough, which won a Nobel Prize, compressed decades of research into a database that is now open to the world.”

Today, over three million researchers across 190 countries are using the AlphaFold database to accelerate malaria vaccine development, combat antibiotic resistance, and advance medical innovation.

AI Across the Scientific Ecosystem

Pichai emphasised that AI is now integrated throughout the scientific research process — from cataloguing DNA disease markers to deploying AI agents that assist researchers with experimentation and data analysis.

He underscored that bold AI adoption is essential not only in developed economies but also in regions historically underserved by cutting-edge technology.

The Vizag AI hub is expected to support research institutions, startups, and enterprises with advanced compute access and digital infrastructure.

Responsible and Inclusive AI Development

While highlighting AI’s vast potential, Pichai stressed the importance of equitable and responsible deployment.

He noted that AI can drive economic expansion, innovation, and global problem-solving — but only if development is thoughtful and inclusive.

Google’s $15 billion commitment signals a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening India’s digital backbone while promoting sustainable and ethical AI growth.

Why the Vizag AI Hub Matters

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing AI adoption markets globally, driven by its digital public infrastructure, startup ecosystem, and strong talent pool.

Google’s gigawatt-scale compute investment aligns with broader global trends where hyperscale AI data centres are becoming foundational to economic competitiveness.

With subsea cable connectivity, high-capacity compute infrastructure, and sector-wide AI deployment plans, Vizag is set to become a critical node in the global AI value chain.

Conclusion

Sundar Pichai’s $15 billion investment announcement marks a defining moment in India’s AI journey. By establishing a full-stack AI hub in Vizag with gigawatt-scale compute capacity and global connectivity, Google is deepening its commitment to India’s digital transformation.

As AI reshapes industries, scientific research, and economic models worldwide, India’s expanding role in shaping this technological shift appears stronger than ever.

TWN Special