AI innovators in India will have access to Google’s data localization option

With the introduction of Google’s Gemini 1.5 flash large language model (LLM), Indian businesses across diverse sectors, including public sector organizations, now have the opportunity to store their data at rest and conduct machine learning processes entirely within India. This development aligns with the rising demand among Indian enterprises for localized data processing capabilities, driven by both regulatory requirements and industry needs.

This advancement is expected to significantly benefit industries that handle sensitive information, such as the public sector and financial services. During a media roundtable held on Thursday, Bikram Bedi, Vice President and Country Managing Director of Google Cloud India, highlighted that the local storage and processing capabilities offered by Gemini 1.5 flash would also help startups. By providing access to advanced machine learning models within the country, these organizations could reduce the costs associated with using such technologies and improve latency in key sectors, allowing for better performance and efficiency.

Bedi further explained that one of Google’s key advantages over its competitors is that it offers the complete AI stack—ranging from hardware to software—without relying on third-party technology or engaging in price markups. “Google is the only vendor that delivers an end-to-end AI stack. Other companies often buy GPUs, mark up their prices, and then resell them, or they outsource their AI technologies, increasing costs before offering them to customers. This is important because the price-to-performance ratio becomes critical when organizations scale up AI solutions,” Bedi said, emphasizing the competitive pricing and efficiency that Google provides, especially for companies starting to implement AI on a larger scale.

He also pointed out that the decision to enable local data processing in India was driven by regulatory requirements and increased demand from various sectors. Google’s move allows enterprises, particularly those handling highly sensitive data, to remain compliant with data protection regulations while benefiting from the latest AI technologies at a lower cost. By addressing these concerns, Google is well-positioned to accelerate AI adoption across the Indian market, helping both public and private sectors integrate AI into their operations more effectively.