Ambani bets Rs 10L cr to democratiseAI
7-yr plan to build sovereign AI infra; Goal: AI for every Indian, at data-like prices
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Thursday announced a Rs 10 lakh crore investment in artificial intelligence over the next seven years, pledging to do with AI what his group achieved by making mobile and internet data affordable and accessible across India.
Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Ambani said the initiative would connect every citizen, business and government service to AI, echoing the scale of Jio’s digital revolution.
“Jio connected India to the Internet Era. Jio will now connect India to the Intelligence Era. India cannot afford to rent intelligence. Therefore, we will reduce the cost of intelligence as dramatically as we did the cost of data,” said Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd.
The investment will focus on three pillars: gigawatt-scale AI-ready data centres in Jamnagar; leveraging up to 10 GW of surplus green power; and a nationwide edge-compute layer integrated with telecom and digital operator Jio’s networks to deliver low-latency AI services.
Ambani said Jio will play a central role in India’s AI transformation by delivering intelligence to every citizen, sector and government service with the same reliability, scale and affordability that transformed connectivity.
Jio Intelligence will build sovereign compute infrastructure, including large data centres, green power capacity and an edge-compute layer deeply integrated with Jio’s network.
This will enable responsive, low-latency and affordable AI use cases—from kirana stores and clinics to classrooms and farms. Ambani outlined five guiding principles: prioritising AI for deep-tech, manufacturing and the informal sector; building world-leading multilingual AI; ensuring responsibility, security and data residency; creating high-skill employment; and fostering a strong AI ecosystem with enterprises, startups and research institutions. The group has already begun deploying AI applications for inclusive development, including JioShikshak for adaptive learning in 22 languages, JioArogyAI for medical guidance, JioKrishi for farmers, and JioBharatIQ, a voice-first AI assistant for education, jobs and government services.
Framing AI as a tool for India’s rise in the 21st century, Ambani said the country must choose a path where AI is affordable and available to all, not concentrated in a few geographies.
“India will emerge as one of the greatest AI powers in the world,” he said, calling AI central to achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.
