GCCs Are Reshaping India into AI/ML Innovation Hubs Nurturing Global AI Builders and Operators

AI builders are changing how companies think about the future of technology. These builders are not just coders or developers—they are architects designing the core intelligence behind modern systems. Their role is central in driving real-time automation, personalized experiences, and predictive capabilities across sectors. Today, as global enterprises push harder on AI-driven strategies, the need for both AI builders and operators has become critical. But the talent pool and infrastructure to support this growing demand aren’t evenly distributed. That’s where India’s Global Capability Centers (GCCs) come into play.

India, long known for its IT services sector, is rapidly becoming the world’s go-to location for AI/ML capabilities. What used to be back-office support centres are now strategic hubs driving product innovation, deep tech research, and full-cycle AI deployments. GCCs, set up by multinational corporations, are evolving into advanced centres of excellence for AI/ML, tapping into India’s engineering talent, academic depth, and cost-efficiency. These centres are nurturing AI builders and operators—fueling projects across computer vision, NLP, and generative models.

According to a 2024 report by NASSCOM, over 40% of new GCCs in India now have AI/ML as their primary charter. Furthermore, more than 70% of existing GCCs are expanding AI-focused teams. With this shift, India is positioning itself not just as a provider of technical manpower but as a central player in global AI innovation.

AI Builders Driving GCC Expansion

GCCs in India are evolving because machine learning architects are setting new expectations. The demand for AI/ML capability isn’t limited to prototyping; businesses now seek models that can scale across business functions. This shift requires experts capable of designing algorithms, building scalable architectures, and deploying them reliably.

The expansion is visible in the numbers. As of 2025, India hosts over 1,600 active GCCs, with nearly 500 added in the last two years alone. Tech majors have significantly grown their AI/ML workforce in India. One large tech firm’s Bangalore GCC, for instance, recently scaled its GenAI and machine learning teams by 40%, adding AI builders to work on global products.

Companies are also moving from isolated AI experiments to integrated initiatives, thanks to GCCs. This transition is being shaped by AI builders who understand enterprise data, privacy regulations, and scalable engineering practices. With strong foundations in math, computer science, and system design, they are building the future of enterprise-grade AI.

AI technologists Creating Industry-Specific Innovation

One reason why GCCs in India are thriving is their ability to support industry-specific AI use cases. AI builders working from these centres are not generalists; they often work in focused verticals such as BFSI, healthcare, automotive, and retail.

Take the case of a major U.S. bank with a GCC in Hyderabad. Their AI solution designers developed a fraud detection system using graph-based machine learning, reducing transaction fraud by 25% within six months. In retail, a European e-commerce player used their Bangalore GCC to build a recommendation engine that increased average order value by 18%.

In healthcare, GCCs have contributed to diagnostic AI tools capable of reading X-rays and MRIs with over 90% accuracy. AI builders are not just writing code; they are partnering with domain experts to apply models in production. These examples highlight the operational depth that India’s GCCs bring, where AI talent aligns with business context.

AI engineers and the Talent Equation

The talent base is India’s most significant advantage, and AI engineers are at the centre of this strength. According to McKinsey’s 2025 India Tech Talent Outlook, the country produces over 100,000 engineers annually with AI/ML-relevant skills. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune have emerged as magnets for deep-tech talent.

Digital-native firms are contributing to this ecosystem. Their former engineers often join GCCs, bringing startup-style agility to large corporate structures. GCCs benefit not only from talent quantity but also from the growing quality of AI engineers trained on real-world problems.

Upskilling programs are also bridging gaps. TCS and Infosys have reported that over 60% of their GCC hires now undergo AI/ML-focused reskilling within the first year. Moreover, collaboration with academic institutions such as IITs and IIITs adds to the credibility and depth of AI talent.

Case Study: AI Centre in Bangalore

A global manufacturing firm set up its AI and Digital Solutions Centre in Bangalore with a focus on intelligent mobility and manufacturing AI. Today, more than 300 AI infrastructure builders and operators work on projects ranging from predictive maintenance for automotive parts to intelligent warehouse systems. The unit also collaborates with international teams on generative AI tools for design automation.

This case shows how a GCC can transition from support to innovation. It also underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration, where India-based AI developers are integrated with global R&D and product units.

Expert Insight: AI Strategy Expert

“India’s GCCs give us a full-stack AI team—builders who know the math and operators who understand systems. It’s not just cheap labour; it’s high-impact innovation at scale,” says an AI strategy expert. “The quality of talent, especially in second-tier cities, has exceeded our expectations.”

This comment reflects a growing industry sentiment: GCCs are no longer auxiliary—they are central to AI/ML delivery.

From AI developers to masters, companies are choosing India to lead

GCCs are driving a clear shift in how and where AI/ML work gets done. With deep technical talent, industry focus, and the presence of both AI builders and operators, India is not just part of the AI conversation—it is shaping it. The country’s role in global AI/ML innovation will continue to grow as more firms realize the long-term value of locating core AI functions within its borders.