BENGALURU: HCLTech plans to invest Rs 14,257 crore to set up its first AI data centre at the upcoming Odisha Sovereign AI Park, marking one of the country’s largest investments in sovereign AI infrastructure.The IT firm will establish the AI data centre in partnership with homegrown AI startup Sarvam and Odisha govt. The project cost includes financial assistance from the state govt.The announcement comes a month after Sarvam raised $234 million in a funding round led by HCLTech and Bessemer Venture Partners, taking its valuation to $1.5 billion. HCLTech invested $150 million as the lead strategic investor, acquiring a 10.4% stake in the company. The proposed data centre aims to strengthen India’s sovereign AI ecosystem by combining HCLTech’s AI infrastructure and services capabilities with Sarvam’s indigenous foundation models to develop sector-specific AI applications for enterprises, govt departments and public sector organisations.“We strive to be an enabler of India’s sovereign AI ecosystem with differentiated offerings across the value chain through focused investments and partnerships,” said Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCLTech.Separately, HCLTech announced plans to set up a global technology centre in Bhubaneswar to deliver AI-led digital solutions to global enterprises, which will employ about 5,000 people and may begin operations by 2028.