Cognite Expands AI Operations in India, Targeting Growth Amid Global Tech Shifts

Cognite, an AI-driven industrial software company backed by Saudi Aramco, is expanding in India with a new AI services center in Bengaluru. The company specializes in optimizing industrial operations and has already secured deals with a major cement manufacturer and an automotive firm in India. Cognite’s CEO, Girish Rishi, sees India as a key growth market, particularly as global tech companies look for alternatives to China. The expansion is supported by its parent company, Aker ASA, and investors like Saudi Aramco. India’s rapidly growing tech sector, bolstered by government incentives, is attracting global giants like Apple, Tesla, and Jabil. Cognite’s move underscores India’s emerging role in the global tech ecosystem, offering opportunities for AI-driven solutions in industrial automation and efficiency.

Cognite Expands AI Operations in India, Targeting Growth Amid Global Tech Shifts

Cognite, a leading industrial software company powered by artificial intelligence (AI), is strengthening its footprint in India as part of its global expansion strategy. Supported by prominent investors like Saudi Aramco, the firm recently launched an AI innovation center in Bengaluru, signaling its commitment to tapping into India’s growing tech ecosystem. This move aligns with Cognite’s mission to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure by integrating advanced AI tools that streamline operations, reduce costs, and boost productivity.

Driving Industrial Efficiency with AI

Cognite specializes in helping industries digitize their workflows and harness data to make smarter decisions. For example, its software can predict equipment failures in factories, optimize supply chains, or monitor energy consumption in real time—solutions that are particularly valuable for sectors like cement production and automotive manufacturing. In India, the company has already partnered with undisclosed leaders in these industries to implement its technology. One collaboration involves a major cement manufacturer using Cognite’s AI to enhance production efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Similarly, an automotive company is leveraging the platform to improve manufacturing precision and accelerate digital transformation. While the clients remain unnamed, these partnerships highlight the practical applications of Cognite’s tools in solving real-world industrial challenges.

India: A Strategic Market for Global Tech

Girish Rishi, CEO of Cognite, emphasized India’s critical role in the company’s growth plans, especially as businesses worldwide diversify their operations away from China. “India’s combination of technical talent, innovation-friendly policies, and a thriving industrial sector makes it an ideal hub for our expansion,” Rishi noted. The country’s large workforce, including a growing pool of AI and software experts, offers Cognite access to skilled professionals who can drive its research and development efforts. The Bengaluru center, known as India’s “Silicon Valley,” will serve as a base for developing tailored AI solutions for local and global clients.

Cognite’s parent company, Norwegian investment firm Aker ASA, along with Saudi Aramco—one of the world’s largest energy companies—have played pivotal roles in funding and guiding this expansion. Their support underscores confidence in India’s potential as a tech and manufacturing powerhouse.

India’s Tech Boom Attracts Global Players

India’s technology sector is undergoing rapid transformation, fueled by government initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which encourages companies to manufacture locally and invest in cutting-edge technologies. This has drawn global giants such as Apple, Tesla, and Jabil to set up production facilities and innovation hubs in the country. For instance, Apple now manufactures a significant portion of its iPhones in India, while Tesla is exploring opportunities to enter the electric vehicle market.

For Cognite, this environment creates a dual advantage: access to a booming market eager for digital solutions and collaboration opportunities with other tech leaders. The Indian government’s push for initiatives like “Make in India” and “Digital India” further aligns with Cognite’s goals, enabling the company to contribute to the nation’s industrial modernization.

The Future of AI in Industry

As AI continues to reshape global industries, Cognite’s expansion reflects broader trends. Companies are increasingly adopting AI to tackle challenges like supply chain disruptions, energy efficiency, and sustainability. In India, sectors such as renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and automotive manufacturing are ripe for innovation. Cognite’s tools could, for instance, help renewable energy plants optimize power generation or assist cities in managing smart grids.

Moreover, India’s emphasis on sustainable development aligns with Cognite’s vision of creating greener industrial processes. By using AI to minimize waste and reduce carbon footprints, the company positions itself as a partner in India’s climate goals.

Conclusion

Cognite’s entry into India marks a strategic step in its global journey, leveraging the country’s tech talent, policy incentives, and industrial demand. With backing from influential investors and a focus on practical AI solutions, the company is well poised to play a key role in India’s digital transformation. As more firms follow suit, India’s emergence as a tech and manufacturing alternative to China appears increasingly solidified—a shift that promises to reshape the global industrial landscape in the years ahead.