Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, announced the launch of Reliance Intelligence, a new subsidiary focused on building India’s artificial intelligence backbone.
Introduced during the company’s 48th annual general meeting, the initiative aims to create national-scale AI infrastructure for businesses, developers, and government bodies.
Ambani described the venture as a step toward positioning India more prominently in the global AI landscape, which has so far been dominated by the United States and China.
Partnerships With Global Tech Giants
Reliance’s first move is a partnership with Google Cloud to establish a dedicated AI cloud network in India. The effort begins with a large-scale data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, leveraging Reliance Jio’s telecom reach and energy assets.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the collaboration was “only the beginning” of deeper AI projects in India.
Meta
Ambani has also announced a joint venture with Meta to develop enterprise-focused AI solutions. Both companies will invest around ₹8.55 billion (~$100 million), with Reliance holding a 70% stake and Meta 30%.
The partnership will introduce Meta’s Llama-based enterprise AI platform-as-a-service to Indian companies, offering tools for sales, marketing, IT, customer service, and finance.
Businesses will be able to customize and deploy generative AI models, supported by preconfigured solutions.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that the venture will help bring Llama into large-scale, real-world enterprise use. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval and expected to close by late 2025.
Expansion Plans and Competitive Landscape
Reliance confirmed that Jio Platforms is preparing for international expansion and plans to file for an IPO in the first half of 2026.
Industry sources also suggest early discussions with OpenAI, which recently launched a budget ChatGPT plan in India and is opening a New Delhi office.
Competition in India’s AI market is heating up. Rival telecom operator Bharti Airtel has already partnered with Perplexity, offering over 360 million subscribers access to Perplexity Pro.
Reliance, meanwhile, continues its existing collaborations with Microsoft Azure and has expanded its consumer-facing JioAICloud, which serves over 40 million users with storage and AI-powered tools.
Consumer AI Products and Services
Reliance is extending AI into consumer devices and media platforms. At the AGM, the company showcased JioFrames, AI-powered smart glasses positioned against Snap Spectacles and Ray-Ban Meta.
Its streaming service JioHotstar is adding AI-driven features, including,
- A “Riya” voice assistant
- Automatic translation into Indian languages using AI voice cloning
- Lip-syncing for localized content delivery
Since relaunching in February, JioHotstar has already reached over 600 million users, with 300 million paying subscribers.
Strategic Significance
AI as a Growth Engine
Reliance’s AI initiative reflects a strategic shift away from oil dependence toward transformative technologies. The approach draws parallels with Jio’s role in democratizing mobile internet access, now applied to AI services.
India’s Growing AI Market
The move coincides with government-backed efforts such as the IndiaAI Mission, which is channeling significant investments into AI infrastructure. Analysts project that India’s AI services market, currently in early stages, could expand to multi-billion-dollar scale within the decade.
Building a Sovereign AI Ecosystem
Ambani outlined four pillars for Reliance Intelligence:
- Building gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure
- Forging international partnerships
- Delivering India-first AI services
- Developing domestic AI talent
The Jamnagar facilities will rely on Reliance’s clean energy assets, designed to strengthen India’s technological self-reliance and sustainability.
India’s AI Ambitions
Industry analysts note that Reliance is uniquely positioned to integrate AI infrastructure, data governance, and enterprise deployment—an approach that could offer advantages over fragmented solutions.
With the U.S. and China leading in AI, Reliance’s investments place India on a path to becoming a third hub for innovation.
By combining global partnerships with sovereign infrastructure, Reliance is attempting to create a comprehensive AI value chain spanning infrastructure, enterprise, and consumer applications.
