Google plugs India into the AI fast lane

Google DeepMind has launched a significant collaboration with the Government of India through its global national partnerships program, aimed at enhancing access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools for national priorities. This initiative will see Google partner with 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, making AI-powered resources available in over 10,000 schools and potentially benefiting around 11 million students. During the India AI Impact Summit, Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed excitement about this partnership, emphasizing the importance of expanding AI capabilities in India. In addition, Google announced plans to bolster India's digital infrastructure, including three new subsea cable routes connecting India to Singapore, South Africa, and Australia, along with additional fiber-optic connections to the United States. Pichai highlighted the significance of these developments in enhancing AI connectivity and also introduced a new Google AI Professional Certificate program aimed at upskilling professionals. This announcement aligns with India's hosting of a major AI summit and underscores Google's ongoing investment in the region, part of its broader $15 billion commitment to South Asia.