India Announces Ambitious Plan for AI ‘Data City’ in Visakhapatnam to Boost Digital Growth
New Delhi – February 15, 2026
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries worldwide, India is making a bold move to expand its digital capabilities by planning a massive new “data city” in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. This initiative aims to accelerate the country’s AI progress and strengthen its position in the global technology landscape, according to Nara Lokesh, the information technology minister of Andhra Pradesh state, who is leading the project.
Speaking ahead of an international AI summit scheduled later this week in New Delhi, Lokesh emphasized India’s commitment to embracing the AI revolution. “The AI revolution is here, no second thoughts about it,” he stated. “And as a nation … we have taken a stand that we’ve got to embrace it.”
Visakhapatnam, a major port city in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh, is being positioned as a cornerstone of India’s AI ambitions. The planned data city is envisioned as a comprehensive hub that will provide cutting-edge infrastructure and foster innovation to power digital growth at an unprecedented scale in the country.
With global powers like the United States and China investing heavily in AI development, India recognizes the importance of narrowing the technology gap and emerging as a competitive player in the AI domain. The new data city is expected to bring together technology companies, startups, research institutions, and government agencies to collaborate on AI research, development, and deployment.
Officials have highlighted that the project will not only generate employment opportunities but also attract international investment and talent, thereby creating an ecosystem conducive to innovation. The initiative is also aligned with wider digital transformation goals, aiming to harness AI for improving governance, healthcare, education, and various other sectors across India.
As India races to secure a foothold in the fast-evolving AI landscape, the Visakhapatnam data city represents a significant step forward in building the nation’s technological infrastructure and capabilities. The upcoming AI summit in New Delhi is expected to gather experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss strategies that will shape the future of AI in India and beyond.
For more updates on this developing story and insights into India’s AI endeavors, stay tuned to The Japan Times.
— Bhuvan Bagga, AFP-JIJI
