At the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Google announced a wide range of initiatives aimed at accelerating India’s digital and artificial intelligence ecosystem. CEO Sundar Pichai detailed plans to strengthen digital infrastructure, expand AI research partnerships, and equip millions of people with AI-enabled skills as adoption continues to rise across the country.
A major announcement at the summit was the launch of the America-India Connect initiative, a strategic subsea cable project designed to create new high-capacity data corridors linking the United States and India. The fiber-optic network will also extend connectivity to regions across the Southern Hemisphere, enhancing global digital integration. Pichai said Google’s investments are focused on reinforcing the foundational infrastructure that supports the digital economy, adding that improved connectivity will increase network reliability and broaden access to cloud services and AI-powered platforms for businesses and developers.
The new project builds on Google’s existing subsea cable systems across the Pacific and Africa, further expanding the company’s global connectivity network. Highlighting AI’s wider impact, Preeti Lobana, Vice President and Country Manager of Google India, said artificial intelligence can be transformative when tailored to local needs. She noted that collaboration with governments can help integrate AI into sectors such as education, scientific research, and public services to promote inclusive growth.
Google DeepMind is also expanding its engagement in India through a partnership with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. The collaboration will give Indian researchers access to advanced AI-for-science tools, including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist, and Earth AI. The initiative will also include hackathons, academic mentorship, and innovation programs for universities and startups.
In education, Google plans to roll out generative AI assistants to nearly 11 million students through Atal Tinkering Labs, with the aim of introducing early exposure to AI, coding, and scientific problem-solving. Workforce training is another key priority, with Google partnering with Karmayogi Bharat to train approximately 20 million public servants across more than 800 districts in AI and digital skills.
Together, these initiatives reflect Google’s expanded commitment to strengthening India’s digital infrastructure, advancing AI research, and supporting the country’s emergence as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation.
-
-
-
-
