Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and chairman of Reliance Industries, has once again taken the spotlight with an ambitious new venture. At the 48th annual general meeting, Ambani introduced Reliance Intelligence, a wholly owned subsidiary designed to become the AI backbone of India.
With strategic partnerships already inked with Google Cloud and Meta, Reliance aims to accelerate India’s position in the global AI race — one currently dominated by the United States and China.
“Reliance Intelligence will create a home for world-class researchers, engineers, designers, and product builders,” Ambani said, emphasizing that the company will blend cutting-edge research with engineering discipline to create scalable AI solutions for India and beyond.
Google Cloud Joins Hands with Reliance Intelligence
A central pillar of this AI plan is Reliance’s expanded partnership with Google Cloud. Together, the companies are building a dedicated AI cloud infrastructure in India, starting with a large data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
- Target users: Businesses of all sizes, government organizations, and developers.
- Unique strength: Jio’s extensive telecom network paired with Reliance’s renewable energy assets to power data-heavy AI workloads.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai endorsed the partnership, saying:
“This is only the beginning. We are innovating with Reliance on advanced AI initiatives to power the future of India’s digital economy.”
While the financial terms remain undisclosed, the move strengthens Reliance’s cloud ecosystem, which already includes Microsoft’s Azure cloud offerings.
Reliance and Meta: Enterprise AI Solutions at Scale
In a parallel move, Reliance has partnered with Meta to deliver enterprise-focused AI solutions. The joint venture, worth ₹8.55 billion (around $100 million), will operate under a 70:30 ownership structure (Reliance holding the majority).
Key highlights of the partnership include:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Core Tech | Meta’s Llama-based AI platform-as-a-service |
| Focus Areas | Sales, marketing, IT, customer service, and finance |
| Products | Pre-configured AI solutions for enterprises |
| Reach | India + select international markets |
| Status | Expected to close in Q4 2025, subject to regulatory approval |
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said:
“Through this joint venture, we’re putting Meta’s Llama models into real-world use.”
This move positions Reliance as not just a consumer tech giant but also a serious player in enterprise AI platforms.
The Global Ambition: Jio IPO and Possible OpenAI Tie-Up
Ambani also dropped another big announcement: Reliance Jio Platforms is preparing for an IPO in the first half of 2026. After delays and speculation, this IPO could be one of India’s largest listings in tech history.
In parallel, reports suggest Reliance may be eyeing a strategic partnership with OpenAI, especially after OpenAI’s entry into India with a low-cost ChatGPT subscription and plans to open a New Delhi office. If finalized, this could position Reliance as a triple-player in AI — with Google, Meta, and possibly OpenAI.
Jio’s Expanding AI Consumer Ecosystem
Beyond enterprise AI, Reliance is also embedding artificial intelligence into its consumer platforms:
- JioAICloud: Offers 100GB free storage, used by over 40 million users. Recently updated with an AI Create Hub for making reels, collages, and promo videos.
- JioFrames smart glasses: Rival to Snap Spectacles and Ray-Ban Meta glasses, showcasing Reliance’s hardware ambitions.
- JioHotstar streaming platform: Attracted 600M users and 300M paying subscribers within just three months. New AI features include:
- Riya voice assistant
- AI-driven translation into Indian languages with voice cloning and lip-syncing.
This consumer-first approach ensures Reliance doesn’t just compete in enterprise AI but also redefines how Indians interact with technology daily.
Industry Context: Rivals and Opportunities
Reliance’s AI strategy comes amid stiff competition. Earlier in 2025, Bharti Airtel partnered with Perplexity to give over 360M subscribers access to Perplexity Pro for a year. Reliance’s aggressive moves signal its intent to stay several steps ahead in India’s AI telecom race.
With India projected to become a $7.8 billion AI market by 2027, according to Nasscom, the stage is set for a digital revolution led by Ambani’s Reliance Intelligence.
Why This Matters for India’s AI Journey
Ambani’s new venture could accelerate India’s shift from being a tech consumer to becoming a tech creator. By blending partnerships with global giants like Google, Meta, and possibly OpenAI, Reliance is not just building infrastructure but shaping the future of India’s AI economy.
If successful, Reliance Intelligence could position India as the third global hub for AI innovation, alongside the U.S. and China.
