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Vizag to Become 'Gateway to Intelligence Age' with Google Cloud AI Hub: Mittal

Bharti Enterprises Vice Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal announced that the Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam will position the city as a gateway to the "intelligence age." He recalled Airtel's launch in Andhra Pradesh in 1999 and praised the state's policy clarity and execution speed. The project by Nxtra, Airtel's data centre arm, will include renewable energy, subsea cables, and fibre networks. Mittal emphasized AI's transformative role as a key pillar of India's growth story for decades to come.

Key Points: Vizag Google Cloud AI Hub: Gateway to Intelligence Age

  • Google Cloud AI Hub in Vizag to be India's largest
  • Builds on Airtel's 1999 launch in Andhra Pradesh
  • City to evolve from maritime to digital intelligence gateway
  • Project includes renewable energy, subsea cables, and fibre networks
2 min read

Vizag set to become 'Gateway to Intelligence Age' with Google Cloud AI hub: Rakesh Bharti Mittal

Rakesh Bharti Mittal says Visakhapatnam's Google Cloud AI Hub will make it a global digital intelligence gateway, building on Airtel's legacy.

"AI has changed technology by digitising cognition itself. - Rakesh Bharti Mittal"

Visakhapatnam, April 28

Bharti Enterprises Vice Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal on Tuesday said that the upcoming Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam will position the city as a key gateway to the "intelligence age," highlighting the growing importance of digital infrastructure in India's growth story.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Mittal highlighted that the project builds on decades of telecom and digital investments in the region, recalling the launch of Airtel services in Andhra Pradesh in 1999.

"As we broke ground this morning on what will be India's largest mega AI hub, I am reminded of a very special event back in 1999, when Airtel was launched in Andhra Pradesh at the hands of Shri Chandra Babu Naidu, the Chief Minister. At that time, we made a commitment to build telecommunications connectivity, and as we moved on, a very strong, digital hub, digital infrastructure to meet the Prime Minister's vision of Digital India," he said.

He emphasised Andhra Pradesh's reputation for policy clarity, speed of execution, and long-term vision, noting that these factors have enabled large-scale transformational projects.

Mittal added that Visakhapatnam, historically a gateway for maritime trade, will now evolve into a global hub for digital intelligence and advanced technologies.

At the core of the project is Nxtra by Airtel, the company's data centre arm, which currently operates 14 core campuses and over 120 data centres across India. The upcoming facility is expected to be supported by significant renewable energy capacity, aligning with sustainability goals and India's net-zero ambitions.

He also noted that the project will include the development of a robust digital ecosystem, including cable landing infrastructure, international subsea connectivity, and enhanced fibre networks to strengthen India's digital backbone.

Highlighting the transformative role of artificial intelligence, Mittal said, "AI has changed technology by digitising cognition itself. As we solve for efficiency and productivity, AI is strengthening the ability for personalisation at scale. This will have the capacity to address systemic issues. This story cannot be told without India. AI is going to be one of the most important pillars of India's growth story, not just in the coming decade but for many decades ahead."

Reaffirming commitment to the project, he said the consortium of partners will work towards building a world-class facility and supporting the state's vision of attracting investments and driving economic growth.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sneha F
Good to see Vizag finally getting its due as a tech destination. But my only worry is about the environmental impact. I hope the renewable energy commitment is real and not just on paper. Data centers use up a lot of water and power, especially in a region like ours. We need to ensure this 'intelligence age' doesn't come at the cost of sustainability. Still, a step in the right direction.
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James A
As a techie from the US, I've seen the impact of AI hubs. India's move to build this in Vizag is smart. The digital backbone with subsea cables and fiber networks is crucial. What I find interesting is how Mittal ties it back to 1999 and Airtel's early days—shows how consistent policy and execution can lead to big things. Excited to see what comes out of this!
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Kavya N
Finally some good news from Andhra! The state has been struggling a bit after the bifurcation, but this AI hub could be a turning point. Mittal's mention of 'policy clarity' and 'speed of execution' is spot on—that's what we need more of. If this can attract more investments, Vizag might just become the next Bengaluru. But please, let's not forget the local small businesses and startups. They should benefit too. 🤞
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Michael C
I'm a bit skeptical about the hype around 'intelligence age'—it's mostly buzzwords. But credit where it's due: a mega AI hub with renewable energy is a substantial investment. If India can leverage this to solve real problems like healthcare and education, then it's worth it. Let's see if the execution matches the ambition. The subsea cable part is especially important for global connectivity.

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