Lenovo India has been a driving force in this transformation, leading the way in technological innovation, AI-driven solutions, and infrastructure development. In a special initiative, Lenovo presents ‘At the Heart of India’s Progress’, in association with CNBC-TV18, hosted at the company’s Bengaluru campus, the conversations focused around AI adoption, cyber-security, and sustainable manufacturing, reinforcing Lenovo’s commitment to strengthening India’s position as a global technology hub.
The AI Revolution
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently emerged as a key catalyst for transformation, evolving from a mere buzzword into a tangible reality. Shailendra Katyal, Vice President & Managing Director, Lenovo India, opines, “AI is as transformative as the birth of the internet. The real game-changer will be the development of groundbreaking applications. Right now, we’re still at the early stages—there’s a long way to go.” He explains that while AI and machine learning (ML) have been around for decades, the real breakthrough has come with generative AI, which is powered by enhanced computational capabilities. The introduction of GPUs and NPUs has significantly accelerated AI’s learning and productivity-enhancing capabilities, by powering large language models (LLMs) that are transforming how businesses and individuals operate.
India’s Seat at the Table
“We firmly believe that India won’t just have a seat at the table—it will be at the center stage of AI development. And we don’t say this lightly,” remarks Shailendra Katyal. He points out that with 20% of the world’s population and immense linguistic diversity, India has a unique advantage in the AI space. As AI models rely on vast amounts of data, India’s digital ecosystem provides the ideal foundation for training indigenous large language models (LLMs) tailored to local needs.
Moreover, India has long been an IT bastion, supplying a significant share of the world’s coding talent. While India currently contributes around 5% of global coding talent, Shailendra Katyal expects this number to rise to 20% for AI-related talent in the coming years. He recounted that this shift is already underway with companies – including Lenovo – setting up AI Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in India.
Beyond data and talent, India also plays a crucial role in AI supply—designing, manufacturing, and exporting AI-driven products. With geopolitical shifts reshaping the global landscape, it is emerging as a key hub for AI-powered innovation.
Lenovo India’s AI Capabilities
Lenovo India’s operations within the country have been a reflection of the full-stack AI capability it has been building globally. From AI-powered Motorola smartphones to ThinkPads and Legion PCs, Lenovo India has been making AI accessible to everyone. The real game-changer has been its AI servers – designed, manufactured, and exported from India.
With a Global CoE for AI in Bengaluru, Lenovo is tackling the AI talent gap, nurturing future-ready skills, and accelerating AI adoption. At the same time, its Puducherry plant is gearing up to roll out India’s first GPU-based servers. “We are deeply invested in initiatives like Make in India and in developing AI-relevant skills,” Katyal informs.
Cyber Resilience and AI Security
A critical aspect of AI adoption is cyber-security and Lenovo India’s Network and Security Operations Center (NOC-SOC) in Bengaluru plays a key role in ensuring cyber resilience for both Indian and global customers. Through real-time threat monitoring and proactive security measures, Lenovo India ensures that businesses are equipped with the robust infrastructure needed to safeguard their operations against cyber threats.
With a strong DNA of engineering and R&D, Lenovo is a leader in infrastructure solutions, offering a diverse and innovative portfolio tailored to evolving technology needs. Venkataraghavan S.K., Director – Solutions & Services Group, Lenovo India, explains, “Our factory in Bengaluru builds a wide range of server systems, including GPU servers while our R&D center focuses not only on India but also serves global needs. Additionally, we have a strong capability in remote operations for our infrastructure business, following a follow-the-sun model to support customers worldwide, including those in India.”
TruScale, one of Lenovo’s outstanding offerings, is an as-a-service model which delivers genuine flexibility with a customer-centric approach. “We provide TruScale offerings across both client-side solutions, known as Device-as-a-Service (DaaS), and infrastructure solutions, which include private cloud as-a-service,” says Venkataraghavan S.K. This enables customers to switch between different models during their contract period, making TruScale one of the most adaptable solutions in the market.
Commitment to Local Manufacturing
Lenovo has been ‘Making in India’ for around two decades, well before it became a national focus. Today, 100% of Motorola phones sold in India are manufactured locally through Dixon Technologies. The Puducherry factory, operational for 20 years, is now set to manufacture and export AI-powered servers globally. Beyond assembly, Lenovo is also aligning with PLI 3.0 to support component-level sourcing, further reinforcing India’s role as a global design and manufacturing hub.
Lenovo’s Environmental Focus
Sustainability is another major focus area for Lenovo’s R&D center in India. The company is pioneering energy-efficient AI computing, particularly with its Neptune liquid cooling technology, which provides 100% water-cooled solutions to enhance energy efficiency. Satish Pratapneni, Director – R&D, Lenovo India, shares, “At Lenovo’s R&D Center, we are not just developing cutting-edge AI solutions but also focusing on sustainable innovation. Our liquid cooling technology, for example, significantly reduces energy consumption and enhances efficiency, making AI infrastructure more environmentally friendly.” This innovation also delivers 40% cost savings for data center customers and advanced thermal testing and validation for these technologies are conducted at Lenovo’s Bengaluru lab.
Lenovo’s Vision for AI in India
Looking ahead, Lenovo is excited about India’s growing digital adoption, data localisation policies, and expanding AI workforce. Even after 20 years in the market, Lenovo sees itself as just getting started in India’s booming AI and tech ecosystem.
By leveraging India as both a demand-driven market and a global AI supply hub, Lenovo envisions leading the next wave of AI-driven transformation. With a customer-first approach, innovation-driven R&D, and deep manufacturing expertise, it aims to set itself apart in the global AI race. Further, aligning with the ‘AI for All’ mission, it remains committed to bridging the digital divide, democratising AI access, and driving India’s progress as a technology powerhouse.
From AI-driven solutions to cutting-edge infrastructure and sustainable innovation, Lenovo is truly at the Heart of India’s Progress. As the country accelerates toward an AI-powered future, Lenovo is partnering with India on this journey and, in many ways, charting it too.
