HCLTech to Set Up First AI Data Centre in Odisha with ₹15,000 Crore Sovereign AI Investment

The state of Odisha, HCL Technologies (HCLTech) unveiled its intention to set up an AI-optimised data centre and a global technology centre in Bhubaneswar. The project was developed in collaboration with Sarvam AI and the Odisha Government and is estimated to cost ₹15,000 crore. The initiative is set to take place at the soon-to-be-established Odisha Sovereign AI Park and aims to facilitate the development of sovereign AI capabilities for the nation by offering highly secure, scalable and indigenous digital infrastructure for governmental organisations, enterprises, research institutions and startups.

The launch of HCLTech’s AI Data Centre.

HCLTech has announced its first-ever AI Data Centre representing the company’s entry into the AI infrastructure industry in India.

It will be developed along with a Global Technology Centre at Bhubaneswar that is expected to begin its operations by 2028 and employ an estimated 5000 people.

As stated by the company its AI data centre will be in line with its all-encompassing AI strategy allowing the company to cater to the growing demand for reliable AI computing infrastructure.

Key Project Insights

The AI ecosystem introduced is one of the largest technological investments in Odisha.

The project has the following major highlights,

• Location: Odisha Sovereign AI Park, Bhubaneswar
• Estimated Cost: About ₹15000 crore
• Partners: HCLTech, Sarvam AI, and Odisha Government
• Expected Year of Operation: 2028
• Employment Generation: About 5000 jobs
• Objective: AI-based data centre and global technology centre
• Purpose: AI infrastructure for both public and private sectors.

The project is expected to help Odisha become an important AI technology hub of India.

What is the Odisha Sovereign AI Park?

The Odisha Sovereign AI Park is intended to be a modern technology ecosystem that will facilitate research and development of AI technologies.

The AI data center will includes the,

• High-performance computing capabilities.
• Secure cloud and data services.
• AI training capabilities.
• Platform for enterprise AI solutions.

According to officials, this is the first such initiative aimed at enhancing India’s domestic capabilities in AI.

Collaboration with Sarvam AI

HCLTech has announced that it will join forces with Sarvam AI, one of India’s leading AI start-ups, to create sovereign AI solutions.

The partnership is the combination of the,

• HCLTech’s expertise in enterprise technology.
• Sarvam AI’s indigenous foundations in AI models.
• High-performance computing infrastructure.
• AI solutions tailored for government organizations and businesses.
• Multilingual AI services for the Indian populace.

The collaboration comes in the wake of HCLTech acquiring a 10.5% equity stake in Sarvam AI for $150 million, demonstrating its commitment in the long term toward innovation in the field of AI.

Strengthening India’s Sovereign AI Ecosystem

This project promotes the Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of the Government of India by establishing indigenous AI infrastructure.

Among the strategic advantages are,

• Lower dependency on international AI infrastructure
• Safety of data processing in India
• Faster speed of AI model development
• Support for multilingual applications
• AI technologies in public services
• Increased digital sovereignty
• Better innovation across industries.

The facility is expected to speed up the implementation of AI in healthcare, governance, education, finance, and manufacturing due to the combination of computing power and the use of AI models developed in India.