Rochana Golani, Vice President of Learning & Enablement at Databricks, highlighted that the Academy will provide AI-powered learning tools and certifications to help professionals upskill for the AI-driven economy.

Specifically, Databricks intends to hire over 100 R&D engineers for its new research center in Bengaluru, which will be part of its global engineering network.

Databricks serves several major Indian enterprise clients, including HDFC Bank, Swiggy, and Freshworks, underscoring India's importance as a key growth market.

To bolster its training initiatives, Databricks is collaborating with partners like Accenture, having recently launched a learning program at Accenture's Bengaluru Innovation Hub.

Databricks, a US-based data and AI company, has announced a significant investment of over $250 million in India to expand its artificial intelligence initiatives.

A key initiative within this expansion is the India Data + AI Academy, which aims to train 500,000 individuals in data and AI skills over the next three years.

The investment will support various initiatives, including training programs, research and development (R&D), and hiring efforts to enhance market expansion.

The India R&D team will play a critical role in developing large language models (LLMs) and managing infrastructure for enterprise clients.

As part of this investment, the company plans to increase its workforce in India by 50%, aiming to employ over 750 individuals by the end of the fiscal year.

Vinod Marur, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Databricks, emphasized the need for increased R&D staff, citing the technical talent available in Bengaluru as a key factor for their investment.

Most of the $250 million investment will be allocated to hiring R&D staff and enhancing customer success roles, reflecting the growing demand for data modernization and generative AI in India.

This expansion is driven by a global shortage of AI skillsets and the availability of technology talent in India, positioning the country as a strategic hub for Databricks' growth.