Multinational corporations, including McDonald's and Bupa, are increasingly establishing 'global capability centres' (GCCs) in India to leverage the country's AI engineering talent for core big-data operations. These centres signify a strategic shift, with India becoming a central hub for AI innovation and product development, rather than just a location for peripheral support services.
India's AI sector is projected to contribute significantly to the national GDP, with GCCs playing a key role in this growth through R&D in finance, healthcare and retail. The country boasts a substantial pool of AI professionals, supported by top educational institutions and a thriving startup ecosystem. These centres are also becoming involved in ethical AI governance, regulatory compliance and AI product strategy.
However, a talent gap persists, particularly for specialised roles in AI, data science, and platform engineering, requiring companies to invest in internal training and development to build robust AI capabilities. Despite these challenges, India's GCCs offer a cost-effective solution for global firms seeking AI expertise, driving digital transformation and contributing original intellectual property to the AI community.
