Microsoft's $17.5B AI Bet: India Set to Become Global AI Hub

• Microsoft will invest $17.5 billion in India between 2026-2029, its largest Asian investment, to boost cloud and AI infrastructure, skilling, and digital capabilities.
• The investment includes building hyperscale data centers (e.g., Hyderabad by mid-2026) and training millions of Indians in AI by 2030.
• It aligns with India's "AI-public infrastructure" push, ensuring data sovereignty and strengthening US-India tech ties.
• Google's Alphabet is also investing $15 billion in an AI data hub in Visakhapatnam, positioning India as a central node in global AI infrastructure.
• These major tech investments aim to attract further foreign capital, create jobs, and foster innovation, despite challenges like equitable access and data security.

Why It Matters: Microsoft's massive AI investment positions India as a global AI powerhouse.