Sharma believes this marks a new chapter for India’s AI infrastructure, as massive data centre investment puts the country’s AI ambitions in focus.
An important vote of confidence was received by India’s AI ecosystem this week after data centre giant AirTrunk announced plans for investing nearly ₹300 billion (around ₹3 lakh crore) in India by 2030. The proposed investment is expected to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure and support the growing demand for cloud computing, data storage, and AI-driven technologies.
The announcement sparked discussions across the technology sector, with Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma describing the development as evidence that “AI has arrived in India.” His remarks reflect a broader sentiment among industry leaders who believe the country is entering a crucial phase in its technological evolution.
Data centres are becoming the backbone of AI growth.
While artificial intelligence often grabs headlines for chatbots and automation tools, the technology relies heavily on physical infrastructure. Large-scale AI systems require enormous computing power, vast amounts of data storage, and reliable cloud networks to operate effectively. AI applications depend on sophisticated computational systems capable of processing and analysing massive datasets. This is where investments such as AirTrunk’s become critical. Modern data centres provide the foundation needed to train, deploy, and scale AI models. As businesses, startups, and government agencies increasingly adopt AI-powered solutions, demand for advanced digital infrastructure is expected to rise substantially.
Industry experts note that countries capable of building robust computing infrastructure will be better positioned to attract technology investments and support innovation-led economic growth.
India’s growing position in the global AI race.
Government initiatives, expanding digital adoption, and a thriving startup ecosystem have collectively created favourable conditions for technology-driven growth. For entrepreneurs and technology leaders, the conversation is increasingly shifting from whether AI will transform industries to how quickly organisations can adapt. Sharma has previously argued that artificial intelligence will become an integral part of everyday business operations and create new opportunities alongside workforce disruption.
The scale of AirTrunk’s proposed investment also reflects growing international confidence in India’s long-term prospects for the digital economy. Beyond supporting AI development, the project is expected to contribute to broader advancements in cloud services, enterprise technology, and digital transformation across sectors.
AirTrunk’s investment plan is about more than building data centres. It represents a broader shift in how global investors view India’s technology future. As AI moves from experimentation to large-scale implementation, infrastructure has become just as important as innovation itself.