For every query that artificial intelligence (AI) answers or the data it processes, the real complex computation happens somewhere inside a data centre. These facilities, once largely invisible to the public, are today emerging as critical foundations of India’s AI economy. Every AI model trained, every digital service delivered, and every real-time application today depends on the computational power of data centres.
India is positioning itself at the centre of this transformation. With total data centre capacity projected to reach nearly 1.7 gigawatts (GW) by the year-end, India is emerging as one of the fastest-growing hubs in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Competitive operating costs, a rapidly expanding digital economy, and supportive policy frameworks are enabling India to capture a growing share of regional demand with global technology companies and cloud providers scaling their infrastructure in the country.
Take for instance, the government of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023. By introducing requirements for secure and localized data storage in certain contexts, the Act encourages global cloud providers and technology firms to expand infrastructure within India. Complementing this, the IndiaAI Mission, led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is building a robust AI ecosystem through computing infrastructure, datasets, research capabilities, and startup support. Within a year, the program has established 27 India Data and AI labs and identified 543 more.
These efforts build upon the groundwork laid by Digital India, a flagship programme launched in 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The initiative focuses on expanding digital infrastructure, improving public service delivery, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the digital landscape.
More recently, the sector has seen a strong push from the Union Budget 2026-27 with a long-term tax holiday till 2047 for service providers operating through India-based data centre infrastructure. Such long-term incentives are critical for investment certainty, anchoring progress within the country, and strengthening India’s positioning in global value chains.
At the same time, the rapid growth of AI infrastructure is prompting a renewed focus on sustainability. The computational power required to train advanced AI models consumes significant energy. Hence, developers are increasingly rethinking deployment locations for more sustainable operations. A visible shift is underway toward renewable-rich regions, such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, where clean energy can power large-scale computing. This “green migration” of AI training infrastructure reduces the environmental footprint of large-scale AI workloads while meeting emerging green data centre mandates.
With these shifts, data centres are transforming from passive storage facilities to engine rooms of the AI economy. Their speed and reliability now determine how effectively countries and companies compete in the global digital landscape. Against this backdrop, the 33rd edition of Convergence India Expo arrives at an opportune moment. As the country’s longest-running technology showcase, the expo convenes stakeholders from across government, industry, academia, and the startup ecosystem to explore emerging innovations and shape India’s digital future.
The AI Bharat Expo, hosted within Convergence India Expo, spotlights artificial intelligence and its transformative potential across sectors such as healthcare, climate resilience, and sustainable development. With over 50,000 participants expected from around the world, the event serves as a collaborative hub, enabling dialogue, partnerships, and knowledge exchange between industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and innovators.
With a keynote address delivered by Shri Abhishek Singh, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT, & CEO of the India AI Mission, interactive panels and expert discussions at the expo will delve into some of the most pressing questions shaping the future of AI infrastructure. These include bridging India’s data centre gap to meet AI-era demand, balancing hyperscale expansion with edge computing for real-time applications, and building AI-ready infrastructure through Graphic Processing Units (GPUs), liquid cooling, and high-density computing.
Conversations will also explore the role of policies, investment, and partnerships in advancing sectoral growth, alongside considerations around data sovereignty and compliance with localization requirements. The expo will also see participation from leading exhibitors, including Google, AWS, Microsoft, Zoho, Escorts Sensors, MiTAC Computing, NAV Telecom, Telit, Realtek, and QT Loads, and a dedicated telematics zone. Live demonstrations paired with strategic discussions turn abstract concepts into tangible insights, fostering a holistic understanding of AI’s role in driving both technological and societal impact.
As India continues to scale its AI capabilities, it becomes increasingly clear that the success of its digital transformation depends on the strength of its infrastructure. Data centres have evolved far beyond their traditional role as storage facilities. Today, they power the real-time digital services, advanced analytics, and intelligent systems that are reshaping industries and economies. When supported by strategic foresight, sustainable practices, and innovation, they can enable AI innovation to scale responsibly and reliably. In doing so, it turns technological potential into measurable outcomes: strengthening economic growth, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond businesses to society at large.
Website: www.aibharatexpo.com
Expo passes available at: www.eiexpolive.com
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