India must rethink data centers to lead global AI race

VARUN GARG
CO-FOUNDER & CEO - QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

“Globally, the AI industry is expected to reach nearly $10 trillion by 2030—more than twice India’s current GDP of $4.22 trillion. With over 8,000 data centers and 55,000 AI companies operating worldwide, it’s clear the future belongs to intelligent infrastructure. India’s momentum in AI and data centers is accelerating, but to truly lead, we must shift from outdated models to advanced architectures—1 MW GPU racks, direct-to-chip and immersive cooling, high-speed interconnects, and modular, AI-managed systems that support scalability and sustainability. Data centers need to be designed not for the past, but for the AI-powered demands of tomorrow. As workloads increase, ultra-low latency, containerized edge computing, and self-healing operations will be essential, especially as cyber threats escalate and resource constraints persist.

India accounts for less than 3% of global AI penetration despite holding 20% of the world’s data. This gap signals enormous potential. The Indian government’s efforts—from Digital India and the AI Mission to PLI schemes and AI-centric SEZs—are commendable, especially with growing focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. But realizing this opportunity will require building a cohesive national ecosystem, not isolated state-level silos. At Quantum Technology Systems, we’re committed to supporting this growth by bringing in advanced cooling, robotics, and infrastructure innovations to power India’s AI journey and make it a global AI powerhouse.”