Tag: AI

Business

Google to Build Asia’s Largest AI Data Center in Andhra Pradesh with $6 Billion Investment

Tanisha Cardozo

In a transformative move for India’s digital infrastructure, Google is reportedly investing $6 billion to establish its largest AI data center outside the United States in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious project includes the development of a 1-gigawatt data facility and the supporting energy and digital ecosystem to power its operations. Out of the total investment, $2 billion is expected to be directed specifically toward renewable energy capacity, reinforcing Google’s global sustainability commitments.

This landmark facility is anticipated to become the largest data center in Asia, both in terms of capacity and investment size. It is also Google’s first-of-its-kind data center investment in India, making it a strategic cornerstone in the company’s regional expansion across Asia, where it is also ramping up operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

While Google and the Andhra Pradesh government have not officially confirmed the development, sources cited by Reuters suggest the announcement is likely to be made in October. If finalized, the data center will mark a major leap forward in India’s role in global cloud and AI infrastructure.

This project aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s aggressive digital vision. According to the state’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, the government has already secured agreements for data centers totaling 1.6 gigawatts, and plans are in place to scale that figure up to 6 gigawatts over the next five years. He emphasized that the initial 1.6 GW of data centers are expected to go live within the next 24 months, ushering in a new era of tech-driven economic growth for the state.

In addition to the data center buildout, Andhra Pradesh is also working to establish three international cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam. These critical infrastructures are essential for ensuring high-speed, reliable internet connections to global networks. Lokesh highlighted that the planned cable capacity would be twice the scale of what Mumbai currently handles, positioning Visakhapatnam as a future tech and connectivity hub for India.

Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, had previously announced in April 2025 its plan to invest up to $75 billion this year into building global data center capacity, underlining the critical role these infrastructures play in AI development, cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives.

As India strengthens its position on the global tech map, this Visakhapatnam project stands as a milestone moment—not just for Andhra Pradesh but for the country’s broader ambitions to lead in AI, sustainability, and next-generation infrastructure.

Human Interest

Goa CM Pramod Sawant’s AI-Generated 3D Image Goes Viral with Google’s ‘Nano Banana’ Tool

Tanisha Cardozo

In the ever-evolving world of digital technology, even political communication is witnessing a transformation. The latest example of this trend comes from Goa, where Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has taken a leap into the future by embracing artificial intelligence. A hyper-realistic 3D image of the Chief Minister, generated using Google’s popular AI tool ‘Nano Banana,’ is currently making waves across social media platforms.

The image, which has been widely shared by the official BJP Goa handles as well as numerous fan pages, presents the Chief Minister in a strikingly vivid and life-like form. From sharp facial features and expressive details to the intricate textures of his clothing and the realistic background, every element of the portrait reflects the remarkable capabilities of AI in creating detailed visual content.

What makes this trend more noteworthy is the accessibility and popularity of such tools. Nano Banana, developed by Google, has quickly become a favorite for those looking to create high-quality 3D images effortlessly. Its growing popularity isn’t limited to tech enthusiasts—it’s now being adopted by political figures and public personalities who see its value in enhancing digital presence and outreach.

The AI-generated image of Dr. Sawant has not only captured attention due to its visual appeal but also sparked conversations about the increasing role of technology in shaping public narratives. With captions calling him the ‘architect of progress’ and the ‘people’s hero,’ the photo campaign sends a strong message about visionary leadership, development, and the seamless blend of tradition and technology. The BJP has linked the visual representation to their broader agenda of shaping Goa’s future through infrastructure, education, and sustainability.

This wave of AI-generated content allows leaders like Dr. Pramod Sawant to connect with the public in new and innovative ways. By stepping into the world of AI-driven media, political figures are expanding their influence beyond traditional formats, engaging audiences who are increasingly active on digital platforms. In a world where visual impact matters more than ever, the Chief Minister’s viral AI portrait is a compelling symbol of this new era of tech-powered public engagement.

TechPulse

Goa AI Mission 2027 Gains Strategic Support from Sarvam AI

Tanisha Cardozo

The Government of Goa’s ambition to lead in ethical, responsible, and innovation-led AI adoption has received a major boost as Sarvam AI, India’s first sovereign AI startup, extended its support for the Goa AI Mission 2027. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) hosted a virtual session with Sarvam AI, marking a significant step toward building an AI ecosystem rooted in cultural relevance, local language access, and inclusive design.

Sarvam AI, recently selected under the IndiaAI Mission, is building a full-stack generative AI platform tailored for India. During the session, Sarvam AI showcased key products including Sarvam Samvaad (a conversational AI), Sarvam Arya (an enterprise reasoning engine), and Vistaar (a serverless deployment platform)—all built to support Indian languages and contexts.

The discussion was led by DITE&C Director Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar and Joint Director Dr. Milind Sakhardande, along with SeMT leads Ms. Sharda Katare and Shri Amit Bandekar. Sarvam AI was represented by its Founder Mr. Shubham Arora, along with Guru Prabhaker, Director – Sales, and Prerna Bhandari, Public Sector Lead. The focus was on three pillars: policy collaboration, co-development of citizen-centric AI services, and the establishment of an AI Centre of Excellence in Goa.

A key outcome of the session was the shared interest in building a Konkani Large Language Model (LLM). This language model would contribute significantly to the digital preservation of Goa’s linguistic and cultural heritage while enabling AI-powered services for local communities in their native tongue.

Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, stated, “As the government is working towards creating Centres of Excellence in AI, the goal is to make Goa a hub for applied research, experimentation and industry collaboration. Through the AI Mission 2027, we are laying the groundwork in policy, infrastructure, research, and skills to lead in ethical and responsible AI adoption.”

Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, added, “Collaborating with industry leaders like Sarvam AI strengthens Goa’s vision of building an AI ecosystem that is not only innovative and sovereign but also deeply rooted in our local languages and cultural context. A key part of this mission is the development of a Konkani Large Language Model, which will help digitally preserve and promote Goa’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. Their approach ensures that technology benefits every community across the state.”

Goa AI Mission 2027 is already mapping out skill development programs, research infrastructure, and AI governance frameworks. Partnerships like this signal a move from planning to implementation—ensuring that the benefits of AI are not just futuristic, but real, contextual, and accessible to every Goan.

EduConnect

Sony Research India and Goa University Launch Advanced AI Lab at GURU Campus

Tanisha Cardozo

In a major boost to India’s academic and technological landscape, Sony Research India and Goa University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 14, 2025, to establish the Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AAI) Laboratory — the first industry-supported AI research lab at Goa University. The lab will be housed at the Goa University Research Park Unit (GURU), a hub for innovation, incubation, and industry-academic collaboration.

The MoU was signed in the presence of representatives from both institutions. Sony Research India was represented by Dr. Pankaj Wasnik (Director – T&D) and Mr. Arithy MV (Manager – Strategy & Partnerships), while Goa University was represented by its top academic leadership, including Prof. Harilal Menon (Vice-Chancellor), Prof. Sundar Dhuri (Registrar), Prof. Ramesh Pai, Prof. Sanjeev Ghadi, Prof. Sandeep Garg, and others. Dr. Narayan Vetrekar and Prof. Rajendra Gad will serve as Principal Investigators leading the initiative.

The AAI Laboratory aims to promote cutting-edge research in Advanced Artificial Intelligence, with a special focus on multimodal data — the integration and interpretation of diverse data types such as text, images, and audio. The lab is designed to support a comprehensive research ecosystem that includes:

  • Fellowship programmes for emerging researchers
  • Joint research projects with Sony scientists
  • Guest lectures and workshops
  • Training programmes to build capacity in AI and related domains

Sony Research India’s participation marks a forward-thinking commitment to nurturing innovation at the university level. The lab will provide infrastructure, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities with Sony’s global AI research teams.

Housed within GURU, the Goa University Research Park Unit, the AAI Lab represents the university’s growing emphasis on research, industrial engagement, and innovation. GURU, created with support from the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, offering platforms for intellectual and entrepreneurial development.

For Goa University, this partnership with Sony Research India isn’t just about a physical laboratory — it’s about creating a long-term ecosystem of innovation that nurtures talent, drives impactful research, and puts Goa on the map as a hub for AI-driven academic excellence.

As the first-of-its-kind collaboration at the university, the AAI Lab is a blueprint for future university-industry partnerships in India, offering scalable models for joint research, knowledge exchange, and global skill development in the age of artificial intelligence.

Social Media

YouTube Uses AI to Identify Underage Users—Even If They Lie About Their Age

allycaralgoa

U.S., July 2025 — YouTube is taking a bold step in online safety by introducing AI-powered tools that attempt to identify users under 18 years old—even if those users have entered a false age on their profile.

The AI system analyzes visual data, such as facial features from uploaded videos or thumbnails, and behavioral patterns to estimate a user’s actual age. If the system suspects a user is underage, content restrictions designed for minors will automatically be applied, overriding the user’s declared age.

Why This Matters

YouTube’s goal is to ensure a safer online environment for teenagers and children who may otherwise be exposed to mature or harmful content. The move is part of a larger trend among tech platforms facing increasing regulatory pressure to safeguard young users.

The platform has already introduced default privacy settings for accounts under 18 and limitations on targeted advertising. This AI tool adds another layer of protection—but not without controversy.

Privacy Concerns Surface

Critics argue the use of AI in this manner raises serious questions about user privacy, accuracy, and algorithmic bias.

  • How is the data being processed and stored?
  • What about false positives?
  • Could older users be wrongly flagged as minors?

While YouTube insists the data remains secure and is used solely for safety purposes, digital rights organizations are calling for more transparency and user control.

A Glimpse Into the Future

This development signals a larger shift in how tech platforms use AI to enforce policies beyond what users explicitly input. The implications could extend into other areas like e-commerce, gaming, and social networking.

As AI increasingly mediates our online experiences, the balance between safety and surveillance will remain a hot topic.

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