New Delhi: Sundar Pichai said India is poised for an extraordinary AI trajectory as he addressed the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Thursday evening.
Describing artificial intelligence as the defining force of this decade, the Google CEO stated that the world stands at the cusp of hyper progress and new discoveries. However, he cautioned that the best outcomes are not guaranteed. Therefore, nations must collaborate to ensure AI benefits reach everyone.
Highlighting bilateral ties, Pichai said the US–India partnership plays a critical role in shaping the global AI ecosystem. He expressed strong confidence in India’s potential and affirmed Google’s full-stack commitment across products, scaling and infrastructure.
India extraordinary AI trajectory backed by skilling and infrastructure
Pichai outlined Google’s strategy across three pillars: products, skilling and infrastructure. On applications, he cited AI-driven monsoon forecasts for farmers and healthcare screening tools for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. He also noted the expansion of AI tools in Indian languages to improve accessibility.
In terms of workforce development, he announced that Google aims to equip 10 million future Indian leaders through its AI Skill House initiative. This effort, he said, will empower young professionals to contribute to global technological progress.
On infrastructure, Pichai referred to Google’s $15 billion investment in India. He highlighted the upcoming AI hub in Vizag, which will house gigawatt-scale compute capacity. According to him, such facilities will support businesses and startups with advanced capabilities.
He also mentioned the India–America Connect initiative, which will expand subsea cable routes between the two nations. The project, he noted, will act as a literal bridge strengthening digital connectivity. Stable and trusted supply chains, he added, remain essential to sustain this growth.
Pichai concluded by emphasising that India’s AI journey will depend not only on innovation but also on trusted global partnerships, large-scale skilling and sustained infrastructure investment.
