Australia’s AirTrunk has pledged a whopping $30 billion by 2030 for five gigawatts of new AI data center capacity in India. This comes as major players like Amazon, Google and Microsoft also beef up their digital presence.

India sees this investment wave as an opportunity to become a global hub for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. The government is sweetening the deal with tax breaks for foreign cloud providers. Local tech giants are also expanding rapidly, aiming to build out data centers in key cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

The surge in demand for AI infrastructure could require tens of terawatt-hours more electricity by 2030. Critics worry this will strain India’s already limited resources: land, water and power. AirTrunk argues it can thrive here due to the availability of renewable energy and a tech-savvy workforce.

AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda says the company's expansion in the country will bolster its position as a key player in global cloud computing. The Indian government hopes this investment will help establish India as a significant player in AI and cloud services, drawing on local talent and resources.