Google's proposed $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam is facing concerns regarding its potential impact on local water resources. This project is part of Google's broader $15 billion investment in India.
Alexander Smith, Google’s head of infrastructure and energy for Asia-Pacific, stated that the company assessed the local watershed before selecting its cooling technology.
This assessment indicated pressure on local water resources, prompting Google to opt for air cooling rather than conventional water-based cooling systems.
The AI hub near Visakhapatnam is expected to include large-scale data-centre infrastructure and strengthen India's digital connectivity.
The company has stated that this investment will support the expansion of AI computing capacity and related digital infrastructure.
This project will significantly enhance digital infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while taking precautions to mitigate its impact on local resources.