Tata Communications is setting up to launch its AI Cloud in partnership with chip manufacturer Nvidia, with plans to start trials by the end of this year. The company has begun discussions with enterprise customers to secure deals and is seeing significant interest, both domestically and internationally.
AS Lakshminarayanan, managing director and chief executive of Tata Communications, mentioned that the firm is excited about the progress of its AI Cloud project. Interest is particularly notable among enterprises in the manufacturing and retail sectors for edge inference capabilities. However, banks are more cautious in their approach, especially in customer-facing processes, as they prioritize trust in AI decisions. They want to avoid situations where accountability for decisions, like mortgage approvals, could become problematic. Despite this, banks are exploring AI applications in less sensitive back-office operations.
In addition to targeting the domestic market, Tata Communications plans to attract overseas customers with its AI Cloud. The company is utilizing Nvidia's next-generation GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip to power its AI Cloud infrastructure. In September, Nvidia announced a major collaboration with Tata Group to enhance AI computing capabilities and develop robust AI solutions.
Lakshminarayanan emphasized that the company is not just purchasing GPUs but is also focusing on engineering work to optimize architecture and establish data centers. This includes building the platform layer atop the infrastructure.
Currently, most enterprises are investing in AI primarily for training purposes, but this focus is expected to shift toward inferencing in the coming years. “While enterprises are still experimenting with AI, we anticipate a gradual transition from proof of concept to full-scale deployment,” he noted.
Enterprises in India are actively experiencing the AI Cloud and are prepared to engage in proof of concepts, though these will not be on a large scale initially. Furthermore, the company plans to introduce a multi-cloud network product by the end of the year, allowing customers to connect seamlessly to multiple cloud platforms, akin to a Software as a Service (SaaS) product.
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