Global Tech Leaders Commit Billions to Boost AI in India

New Delhi, Dec 9: In a major push to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings on Tuesday with the chiefs of leading global IT companies. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director S Rajesh Varrier, and Intel Corporation CEO Lip-Bu Tan met the Prime Minister to discuss strategies for advancing India’s AI ecosystem. Satya Nadella announced Microsoft’s landmark investment of USD 17.5 billion, describing it as the company’s “largest investment ever in Asia.” He emphasized that the funds will support infrastructure, skill development, and sovereign capabilities to position India as an “AI-first” nation. Intel’s Lip-Bu Tan reaffirmed the company’s commitment to India’s semiconductor sector, unveiling a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tata Group. The partnership will enable manufacturing, assembly, and packaging of Intel-designed products at Tata Electronics’ upcoming facilities, strengthening India’s ambition to become a global semiconductor hub. Intel also highlighted plans to expand AI-PC solutions tailored for India’s rapidly growing market. Meanwhile, Cognizant leaders shared that their discussions with PM Modi focused on advancing education and skill development to enhance AI productivity. The meetings underscore India’s rising role as a global technology powerhouse, aligning with the government’s vision of “Make in India for the World.”