Reliance’s $110B AI Plan Fuels India’s Tech Ambitions
▼ Summary
– Mukesh Ambani announced Reliance’s plan to invest ₹10 trillion ($110 billion) over seven years to build AI computing infrastructure in India.
– The investment will fund gigawatt-scale data centers, a nationwide edge computing network, and AI services integrated with Reliance’s Jio telecom platform.
– This pledge is part of a larger wave of AI investment in India, including from the Adani Group and the government, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars.
– Ambani stated the push is essential for India’s technological self-reliance and aims to dramatically reduce the cost of AI services.
– The initiative will be supported by Reliance’s green energy capacity and involve partnerships with enterprises, startups, and institutions to embed AI across various industries.
A massive $110 billion investment by Reliance Industries is set to transform India’s technological landscape, positioning the nation as a formidable player in the global artificial intelligence arena. Chairman Mukesh Ambani announced this ambitious seven-year plan, valued at approximately ₹10 trillion, during a major industry summit in New Delhi. The strategy focuses on constructing gigawatt-scale data centers, deploying a nationwide edge computing network, and integrating advanced AI services directly into the company’s extensive Jio telecom platform.
Construction is already underway on multi-gigawatt data center facilities in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The initial phase is projected to deliver over 120 megawatts of computing capacity, with operations slated to begin in the latter half of 2026. This infrastructure initiative is a cornerstone of Reliance’s vision to achieve technological self-reliance for India. Ambani emphasized that the country “cannot afford to rent intelligence,” drawing a parallel to how Jio previously revolutionized mobile data affordability. The core objective is to drastically reduce the cost of AI services, making them accessible across the economy.
This monumental commitment from Reliance is part of a broader surge in AI infrastructure spending across India. Earlier this week, the Adani Group revealed its own blueprint to invest roughly $100 billion in AI data centers. Collectively, the Indian government anticipates more than $200 billion will flow into this sector over the coming two years. International tech giants are also expanding their footprint, with OpenAI collaborating with the Tata Group to develop an initial 100 megawatts of AI capacity, with plans for a significant expansion to 1 gigawatt.
A critical driver for this investment is the current global scarcity of computing power. Ambani pointed out that the biggest constraint in AI today is not talent or imagination; it is the scarcity and high cost of compute. To address this, Reliance will leverage its substantial green energy resources, including a surplus of 10 gigawatts from solar projects in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, to power the new data centers sustainably.
The plan extends beyond mere infrastructure. Reliance intends to foster widespread AI adoption through strategic partnerships with Indian enterprises, startups, and academic institutions. The goal is to embed AI solutions across vital sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, and financial services. Jio has already taken steps in this direction, securing a partnership with Google last year to provide free access to the Gemini AI Pro model for millions of its users.
Furthermore, to ensure inclusive growth, Reliance plans to develop AI capabilities in several major Indian languages. This focus on linguistic diversity is crucial for driving deeper adoption and creating solutions that resonate with a broader population. The aggressive moves by Reliance and its peers underscore a high-stakes race among India’s largest conglomerates to establish dominance in what is widely seen as the country’s next monumental technology opportunity.
(Source: TechCrunch)
