Google CEO Sundar Pichai Highlights India's AI Potential at Summit

Pichai reflects on personal experiences and Google's $15 billion investment in the country

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:07pm by Ben Kaplan

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In a speech at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and discussed Google's deepening commitment to India, including a $15 billion infrastructure investment and the establishment of a 'full-stack AI hub' in Visakhapatnam. Pichai shared personal anecdotes that underscored the rapid pace of technological advancement, such as his memories of traveling by train in India as a student and later experiencing a self-driving car ride with his elderly father in San Francisco.

Why it matters

Pichai's remarks at the summit reflect the growing strategic importance of India in the global technology landscape. As a major player in the AI revolution, India's progress and potential are crucial, and Google's significant investments in the country signal the company's commitment to fostering AI development and deployment in the region. The summit also highlights the need for collaboration between governments and the tech sector to ensure responsible AI innovation.

The details

During his speech, Pichai recounted his memories of traveling by train between Chennai and IIT Kharagpur as a student, specifically passing through the 'quiet and modest coastal city' of Visakhapatnam. He contrasted this memory with the present day, noting that Google is now establishing a 'full-stack AI hub' in Visakhapatnam as part of a $15 billion infrastructure investment in India. Pichai also described sharing a ride in a Waymo autonomous vehicle with his 83-year-old father in San Francisco, saying that seeing the technology through his father's eyes gave him a new perspective on the progress being made.

  • Pichai delivered his speech at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 19, 2026.
  • Google is establishing a 'full-stack AI hub' in Visakhapatnam as part of a $15 billion infrastructure investment in India.

The players

Sundar Pichai

The CEO of Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc.

Narendra Modi

The Prime Minister of India, who was present at the AI Impact Summit where Pichai spoke.

Waymo

A subsidiary of Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., that develops self-driving technology for cars and trucks.

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What they’re saying

“Sitting on the train, I never imagined Vizag becoming a global AI hub, just as I couldn't have imagined that one day I'd be spending time with teams figuring out how to put data centers into space, or taking my parents for a fully autonomous car ride in San Francisco.”

— Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google (Reuters)

“Seeing Waymo right through my 83-year-old dad's eyes, I saw the progress in a whole new light.”

— Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google (Reuters)

What’s next

The AI Impact Summit provided a platform for global tech leaders to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence and explore how it can be harnessed for global good. The summit's discussions are expected to lead to further collaboration between governments and the tech sector to ensure responsible AI innovation.

The takeaway

Pichai's remarks at the AI Impact Summit highlight the strategic importance of India in the global technology landscape, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. Google's significant investments in the country, including the establishment of a 'full-stack AI hub' in Visakhapatnam, signal the company's commitment to fostering AI development and deployment in the region and bridging the digital divide.