Published Date::07/10/2024
India is on the cusp of a major transformation in its data centre landscape. According to industry experts, by 2030, 40-50% of the country's data centre capacity will be dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics processing unit (GPU) workloads. This shift is expected to coincide with a tripling of overall data centre capacity, reaching 3 gigawatts (Gw).
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has taken a proactive step in this direction by signing an agreement with Nvidia for 10,000 GPUs. These GPUs will be allocated to various projects and initiatives, further accelerating the adoption of AI and GPU technologies in the country.
Global cloud players such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google are set to become major stakeholders in this transformation. These companies are planning to own and operate their own captive data centres, which are expected to generate over 1 Gw of additional capacity in the next five years. Currently, their captive capacity accounts for around 10% of the total live data centre capacity in India.
The increasing focus on AI and GPU workloads is driven by the growing demand for advanced computing capabilities in various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. These technologies are essential for tasks such as data analytics, machine learning, and real-time processing, which are becoming increasingly important for businesses and organizations.
To support this transformation, the Indian government has been implementing various policies and initiatives. For instance, the National Supercomputing Mission aims to establish a network of supercomputing facilities across the country, which will play a crucial role in driving AI and GPU research and development.
The private sector is also playing a significant role in this transformation. Companies like Tata Group, Bharti Airtel, and Reliance Jio are investing heavily in building and expanding their data centre infrastructure. These investments are not only aimed at meeting the growing demand for cloud services but also at positioning India as a global hub for AI and GPU technologies.
However, the shift towards AI and GPU workloads also presents several challenges. One of the primary challenges is the need for skilled professionals who can develop and maintain AI and GPU systems. To address this, educational institutions and training programs are being developed to create a workforce that is well-versed in these technologies.
Another challenge is the energy consumption of data centres. AI and GPU workloads are computationally intensive and require significant power, which can lead to increased carbon emissions. To mitigate this, many data centre operators are exploring renewable energy sources and implementing energy-efficient practices.
In conclusion, the future of India's data centre industry looks promising, with a strong focus on AI and GPU workloads. This shift is expected to not only boost the country's technological capabilities but also create numerous economic opportunities. As global cloud players and local companies continue to invest in this sector, India is well on its way to becoming a leading player in the global data centre market.
Q: What is the projected percentage of India's data centre capacity dedicated to AI and GPU workloads by 2030?
A: By 2030, 40-50% of India's data centre capacity is expected to be dedicated to AI and GPU workloads.
Q: How much will India's overall data centre capacity increase by 2030?
A: India's overall data centre capacity is expected to triple to 3 gigawatts (Gw) by 2030.
Q: Which global cloud players are expected to become major stakeholders in India's data centre market?
A: Global cloud players such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google are expected to become major stakeholders in India's data centre market.
Q: What are the primary challenges faced by the data centre industry in adopting AI and GPU workloads?
A: The primary challenges include the need for skilled professionals to develop and maintain AI and GPU systems, and the high energy consumption associated with these workloads, which can lead to increased carbon emissions.
Q: What initiatives is the Indian government undertaking to support the adoption of AI and GPU technologies?
A: The Indian government has initiatives such as the National Supercomputing Mission, which aims to establish a network of supercomputing facilities across the country to drive AI and GPU research and development.