With technologies such as artificial intelligence and biometrics leading digital transformations in organizations across the world, India is seen as a prime location for global businesses to open technology hubs as an extension of their business rather than a third-party service provider.
Bangalore has the best environment for businesses to transform digitally, according to research of 45 global cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Mumbai and New Delhi were also ranked in the top four locations. EIU’s Connecting commerce: Business confidence in the digital environment report considered each city’s access to talent, open data, finance and innovation labs, as well as having a modern ICT infrastructure.
-> In January, money transfer company Western Union opened a technology center in Pune that employs 1,000 people. The center will focus on technologies including robotics, machine learning and biometrics.
-> Samsung recently said it would be hiring 1,000 engineers for its three research and development facilities in India, “for domains such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, signal processing, computer vision, mobile security and biometrics, among others.”
-> Dutch software company Planon will expand its base innovation center in Hyderabad, India. CEO Pierre Guelen said, “Over the years, the Hyderabad operations, which started as a development center, have started delivering services for global clients. Next year, the Hyderabad center will be involved in the internet of things and artificial intelligence. The manpower will increase from 130 now to close to 300 by next year. There is good talent in Hyderabad.” This will give Planon 10 times as many people at its Indian innovation center than at its innovation center in the Netherlands.
Several U.S.-based CIOs and global VCs confirmed that India’s services and innovation ecosystem is stronger than it has ever been, and that companies are taking a more strategic view toward their Indian operations.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
