Google will invest US$15 billion (A$23.25 billion) to build the world’s largest AI data centre outside of the U.S. in India.
According to Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, who announced the plan at an event on Tuesday, the investment would roll out over the next five years.
Prior to the announcement, Minister for Human Resources Development of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Lokesh, estimated that the 1-gigawatt project would cost US$10 billion.
"It is a massive leap for our state's digital future, innovation, and global standing," said the state's technology minister Nara Lokesh.
This comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump is asking American companies to prioritise domestic investment.
However, India has increasingly become a hub for AI data centres due to its low data costs and rapidly growing internet user base.
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said the facility "will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country".
This also comes as Google has increased its forecast for capital expenditures in 2025 to US$85 million, as part of its second-quarter earnings in July, due to “strong and growing demand for our Cloud products and services”.
