Google Invests $15 Billion in Andhra Pradesh AI Hub: JDS Criticizes Congress for Bengaluru's Loss

Bengaluru:

The Janata Dal Secular has launched accusations against the Congress party for diminishing Bengaluru's IT prominence following Andhra Pradesh's selection as the location for Google's largest investment in India. Google CEO Sundar Pichai informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday about plans to establish an artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam with a $15 billion investment across India over the next five years.

JDS contends that Bengaluru, India's Silicon City, was passed over for this significant project because the Congress government failed to maintain a conducive business environment.

"Andhra Pradesh has secured the Google AI hub instead of our state. Since the @INCKarnataka administration took office, Bengaluru's Silicon City status has been undermined. The deteriorating road conditions and IT Minister @PriyankKharge's negligence resulted in losing a Rs 1.3 lakh crore investment opportunity, delivering a substantial setback to Karnataka," the JD(S) stated.

The party lamented that had this investment come to Karnataka, it could have created 30,000 jobs and generated annual revenue of Rs 10,000 crore. They placed blame squarely on Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who manages urban development, and IT minister Priyank Kharge for this missed opportunity.

"While the Garden City struggles with infrastructure issues including potholes, waste management, and basic amenities, this global investment has gone to a neighboring state. Rather than developing a business-friendly atmosphere, Bengaluru Urban Development Minister @DKShivakumar and the ineffective IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge bear responsibility for losing the Google AI hub due to governmental neglect," the JDS remarked.

Google formalized an agreement with Andhra Pradesh's government yesterday to develop the AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam. Pichai explained that through this AI hub, Google will introduce its cutting-edge technology to businesses and consumers across India, fostering AI innovation and driving nationwide growth.

Prime Minister Modi suggested it will become a "powerful force" in democratizing technology, while Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu celebrated it as the most significant technological achievement for both his state and the country.

"AI holds the key to addressing critical challenges across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. It will transform essential industries, deliver extensive benefits to our citizens, enhance governance, strengthen businesses, and improve quality of life," Naidu stated.