On Monday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a $10 billion Google for India Digitization Fund to help accelerate India’s digital economy.
“Today, I’m excited to announce the Google for India Digitization Fund. Through this effort, we will invest ₹75,000 crore, or approximately $10 billion, into India over the next 5-7 years. We’ll do this through a mix of equity investments, partnerships, and operational, infrastructure and ecosystem investments. This is a reflection of our confidence in the future of India and its digital economy,” Pichai said.
Elaborating on these investments, he added, “We will focus on four areas. First, enabling affordable access and information for every Indian in their own language, whether it’s Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi or any other. Second, building new products and services that are deeply relevant to India’s unique needs. Third, empowering businesses as they continue or embark on their digital transformation. Fourth, leveraging technology and AI for social good, in areas like health, education, and agriculture.”
This comes as India over time has become a key market for the search giant, where its entire range of products including search, YouTube and Android OS, is quite popular among the 500 million Indians online now.
When we build for India, we build for the world: Pichai
In his speech, Pichai highlighted how his company has partnered in India’s digitization journey since 2004. Few examples as below:
Internet in rural villages through programs like Internet Saathi (www.internetsaathiindia.org), helping over 30 million women gain digital skills
Gpay, integrated with BHIM-UPI, making digital payments easier
AI-powered reading tutor app Bolo, now called Read Along
AI flood forecasting system designed to keep people safe during India’s monsoon season
-TIN Bureau