Will Over 50% of Indian Firms Expand Data Centre Capacity As AI Workloads Surge?
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Synopsis
A recent report reveals that over half of Indian firms anticipate a significant growth in AI workloads, prompting 51% to invest in new data centre capabilities within a year. This trend underscores the urgent need for robust infrastructure as organizations strive to stay competitive in an AI-driven landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Over 50% of Indian firms foresee significant growth in AI workloads.
- 51% are set to enhance data centre capacity in the next year.
- 91% are utilizing autonomous AI agents, but only 37% can secure them.
- Many firms risk incurring AI Infrastructure Debt without proper planning.
- Global 'pacesetters' prioritize network infrastructure for optimal AI performance.
Mumbai, Nov 12 (NationPress) More than 50% of Indian enterprises anticipate that AI workloads will increase by over 50% within the next three to five years. According to a report released on Wednesday, 51% of these firms are planning to expand their data centre capacity within the next year.
The study conducted by Cisco, a leading networking technology provider, revealed that 91% of Indian organizations are implementing autonomous AI agents, although a mere 37% of them can adequately secure these agents.
On a global scale, only 13% of organizations leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) are outpacing their competitors by making strategic infrastructure decisions that foster cumulative advantages, as noted in the report.
Cisco referred to these organizations as “pacesetters,” highlighting that 97% of them have deployed AI at the necessary scale and speed to unlock practical use cases and achieve a return on investment.
“These firms establish network-first foundations, prioritize power infrastructure, continuously optimize their systems, and integrate security from the outset,” the report indicated.
Simon Miceli, Managing Director of Cloud and AI Infrastructure for Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China at Cisco, warned that up to 45% of Indian companies lacking this level of architectural foresight risk incurring ‘AI Infrastructure Debt’.
This technical debt can escalate into operational risks, security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and a loss of competitive edge, the report elaborated.
Cisco pinpointed four architectural decisions that set apart AI leaders: they focus on continuous optimization post-deployment, treat the network as a core foundation, assess power requirements early, and incorporate security as an integral part of their infrastructure from day one.
While most companies concentrate on computing power, pacesetters emphasize network infrastructure, with 81% of them rating their networks as 'optimal' for AI workloads, according to the report.
“Pacesetters” achieve success not by spending more but by making early architectural decisions—before workloads necessitate them, before bottlenecks arise, and before security becomes an urgent issue, the report concluded.
Point of View
Indian companies face a critical juncture. With over half of them planning to enhance their data centre capacities, it’s clear that the race for AI readiness is intensifying. Companies must prioritize strategic investments in infrastructure to manage the anticipated growth in AI workloads. This report serves as a wake-up call for businesses to align their resources and strategies to remain competitive in a rapidly changing technological environment.
NationPress
12/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Indian companies expect AI workloads to increase?
Over 50% of Indian companies anticipate AI workloads to grow by more than 50% in the next three to five years.
How many firms are planning to build new data centre capacity?
51% of Indian firms are planning to expand their data centre capacity within the next year.
What is 'AI Infrastructure Debt'?
'AI Infrastructure Debt' refers to the risks and challenges that arise from inadequate architectural foresight in managing AI workloads.
What distinguishes AI leaders from other organizations?
AI leaders prioritize continuous optimization, treat their network as a core foundation, estimate power needs early, and embed security from day one.
What is the role of 'pacesetters' in AI deployment?
'Pacesetters' are organizations that successfully deploy AI at scale and speed, allowing them to unlock valuable use cases and achieve ROI.
