Is Google Building Secret AI Data Centre On Remote Island In Indian Ocean? All You Need To Know

Google is reportedly constructing a secret artificial intelligence (AI) data centre on Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. According to a Reuters report, the facility is part

of a larger cloud computing project linked to Australia’s military, underlining the island’s growing strategic importance in regional security and digital infrastructure.

Google Denies Building Secret AI Facility

Despite the claims, Google has denied that it is setting up an AI-focused data centre on the island. A company spokesperson told Reuters, "We are not constructing a large artificial intelligence data centre on Christmas Island."Instead, Google said the project falls under its Australia Connect initiative, which focuses on expanding subsea cable infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region. However, internal documents cited by Reuters reportedly suggest that a data centre is indeed being built, sparking questions about the real purpose of the site.

Why Christmas Island Matters

Located in the Indian Ocean, Christmas Island is best known for its red crab migration and tropical wildlife. But in recent years, it has also gained strategic value due to its proximity to critical shipping lanes and regional hotspots.Security analysts say the island could play a key role in monitoring maritime activities, especially in relation to China. Former U.S. Navy strategist Bryan Clark told Reuters that such a data centre could help enable AI-based command and control systems used in surveillance and defence operations."It allows you to do AI-enabled control for uncrewed systems during surveillance or targeting missions," Clark explained, hinting at the island’s potential military relevance.

Energy and Connectivity Plans

Reports suggest that Google has requested a long-term energy supply agreement to power a 7-megawatt data centre using both diesel and renewable energy. The company is also working on subsea infrastructure to connect Christmas Island with Darwin, forming part of a larger plan to boost connectivity across the Indo-Pacific.The Bosun subsea cable system, announced in late 2024, will link Darwin to Christmas Island and extend further to Singapore, strengthening Australia’s digital network with its regional partners.In collaboration with Vocus and other partners, Google is also installing new terrestrial fibre routes between Darwin and the Sunshine Coast. The goal is to create a more resilient communication network across northern Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific.