India's HCLTech to invest $1.48 billion in AI data center, open 5,000-seat tech hub

July 24 : India's HCLTech said on Friday it would invest 142.57 billion rupees ($1.48 billion) to set up its first AI data center in the eastern state of Odisha in partnership with homegrown startup Sarvam AI.India’s IT services firms are entering the data center business to capitalise on demand from AI and cloud computing while diversifying beyond their traditional outsourcing operations.HCLTech's investment will include financial support from the Odisha government, the company said.The project, based in the state capital of Bhubaneswar, will utilise HCLTech's full-stack AI capabilities and Sarvam's foundation models to offer sector-specific AI applications to both government-owned and private companies. Last month, HCLTech acquired a 10.5 per cent stake in Sarvam AI for $150 million.Addi