SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Andhra Pradesh is pushing to become a major global technology hub as state IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh held a series of high-level meetings this week with CEOs and senior leaders from Google, Intel, NVIDIA, Adobe, and Zoom. The discussions focused on accelerating Google’s proposed $15 billion AI data center in Visakhapatnam and attracting new semiconductor, AI, cloud, and R&D investments to the state.
Lokesh met Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, and Google Vice President Bikash Koley in San Francisco. The leaders reviewed progress on Google’s AI data center planned for Visakhapatnam. The project is one of the company’s biggest investments outside the United States.
Lokesh thanked Google for choosing Andhra Pradesh for the AI facility. He asked the company to help build a server-manufacturing ecosystem near the data center. He also urged Google to set up a drone assembly and testing unit in the state’s upcoming Drone City. He said Andhra Pradesh is ready to support large-scale tech manufacturing and innovation.
Pichai said Google is expanding its cloud regions in India and increasing support for startups through Google for Startups Accelerator. He described the Visakhapatnam project as the company’s largest foreign direct investment outside the U.S. He assured Lokesh that the state’s proposals would receive careful review.
Lokesh later visited Intel’s headquarters in Santa Clara and met Shesha Krishnapura, CTO of Intel’s IT division. He asked Intel to consider setting up an ATMP unit—Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging—in Andhra Pradesh. He said the state has a strong ecosystem for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
He also proposed an Intel–Amaravati AI Research Centre in partnership with IIIT Sri City or IIT Tirupati. He urged Intel to support high-performance computing clusters to help strengthen the region’s research and innovation capacity.
Lokesh met Raj Mirpuri, Vice President of Enterprise and Cloud Sales at NVIDIA. They discussed cooperation in AI training programs for government officials. Lokesh pushed for a pilot project with universities and R&D institutions in the state. The plan would offer quantum simulators to students and researchers.
He also sought NVIDIA’s support for smart manufacturing technologies and mentorship for deep-tech startups. He said Andhra Pradesh aims to build a strong AI ecosystem with help from global tech leaders. Lokesh held discussions with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen. He asked Adobe to set up a Global Capability Centre or Development Centre in Visakhapatnam. He also requested Narayen’s help in connecting the state with major U.S. chip and materials companies such as Intel, AMD, and Applied Materials.
Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh wants to grow its presence in fabless design, semiconductor research, and advanced manufacturing. He said Adobe’s support would help build global partnerships in these sectors.
The minister also met Zoom executives, including President of Products and Engineering Velchamy Sankaralingam and COO Aparna Bawa. Lokesh invited Zoom to establish an R&D or engineering development center in Amaravati or Visakhapatnam. He also requested a Global Capability Centre in Visakhapatnam and explored areas for future collaboration.
Lokesh said the meetings mark a major step in the state’s efforts to attract top global technology investments. He said Andhra Pradesh is committed to building a strong ecosystem in AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation.
The state aims to generate thousands of high-skilled jobs through new tech centers, research facilities, and manufacturing units. Lokesh said the government will work closely with global companies to speed up approvals and provide the support needed for fast execution. With Google’s $15 billion AI data center leading the way, Andhra Pradesh hopes to position Visakhapatnam and Amaravati as major technology and innovation hubs in India and across Asia.
