India should be creating AI; evaluating locations to set up a data centre here: Cerebras CEO Andrew Feldman

Cerebras Systems, the Silicon Valley-based AI chip company, is ramping up its investment in India through data centres and talent acquisition, CEO Andrew Feldman said in an interview with Moneycontrol.

The company, known for its wafer-scale AI processors, sees India as a critical market due to its top-tier universities and highly skilled workforce.

"India should be creating AI, and they should be running it on Cerebras equipment. So we intend to increase our investment over time in India. We have an office in Bengaluru, some people in Hyderabad, and we expect to grow," Feldman said, on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2025 in Doha.

Cerebras is making strategic investments in both talent and infrastructure.

"We just took a much larger new office and we're looking to tie up with our partner G42 to put a data center for Cerebras computing," he said.

The company is currently evaluating locations for this data centre, which Feldman believes will bring significant AI processing capabilities to the region.

Founded in 2016, Cerebras Systems specialises in AI computing with its flagship product, the Wafer Scale Engine (WSE), the world’s largest AI accelerator. The company is positioning itself as a strong competitor to industry giants like NVIDIA by providing cutting-edge AI hardware solutions for enterprises and research institutions.

IPO plans and competitive strategy

Cerebras is also preparing for a highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) with an expected valuation between $7 billion and $8 billion.

While Feldman declined to comment directly on the IPO, he acknowledged the advantages of becoming a public company.

"Some large enterprises in the US prefer doing business with public companies. Your cost of capital changes, and it brings credibility and legitimacy, especially when engaging with sovereign nations," he said.

However, he noted that public listing comes with regulatory challenges and increased scrutiny. "It’s less fun as a CEO," he quipped, citing the additional regulations and rules involved.

US-China chip export restrictions

On the topic of US restrictions on chip exports to China, Feldman stated that the policies do not impact Cerebras.

"We don't do business in China and we didn’t before the ban either, so we are not at all concerned about that," he said. Instead, he emphasized the company’s focus on advancing AI technology and collaborating with global partners.

Looking ahead, Feldman highlighted healthcare as a key area for AI transformation in 2025.

"AI offers tremendous opportunities to work alongside doctors and improve patient outcomes. The healthcare system, at least in the US, is ripe for significant improvement," he noted.

Note: The reporter is in Doha to cover the Web Summit Qatar 2025.