AIADMK leader R.B. Udayakumar on Tuesday sharply criticized the DMK government, accusing it of missing out on a major technological investment for Tamil Nadu despite the state’s strong cultural ties to global tech leaders. Speaking to the media, he highlighted that Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, hails from Tamil Nadu, yet the DMK failed to approach the company to set up its AI infrastructure hub in the state.
Udayakumar noted that because of the state government’s inaction, the project was instead awarded to Andhra Pradesh. He stressed that such missed opportunities not only deprive Tamil Nadu of potential investments but also impact employment prospects and technological advancement in the region.
Last week, Google Cloud Global CEO Thomas Kurian announced plans to establish the company’s largest AI and data centre hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. In addition to the AI hub, Google intends to transform Visakhapatnam into a global connectivity hub by landing its subsea cable infrastructure there, integrating it into Google’s worldwide network and strengthening India’s technological ecosystem.
During the Google-Andhra Pradesh government MoU signing, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described the project as a milestone. He thanked the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and the central and state IT ministers for facilitating the initiative. Naidu highlighted the significance of Google’s presence in Visakhapatnam, drawing parallels with bringing Microsoft to Hyderabad, and described the moment as an inspiring time for the state’s technological growth.
