Infosys inaugurates new tech hub in US

IT major Infosys has inaugurated yet another tech hub in Hartford, United States, as part of its localisation process amid Trump administration's proposal for tightening H-1B norms.

The Hartford Hub, which will be creating over 1,000 jobs locally, is expected help Infosys work more closely with its clients in the region and will serve as the global Hub for Infosys’ InsurTech and HealthTech efforts. The Hub will feature Living Labs for the Future of Insurance, the Future of Healthcare and the Future of Manufacturing amongst others, according to the company.

“The Living Labs help organizations learn through making. They bring together expertise in business and technologies such as blockchain, extended reality and cognitive capabilities with techniques like design thinking, agile and devops. The Living Labs enable rapid experimentation and exploration of innovation efforts,” the company said in a statement.

Bengaluru-based IT major has hired more than 7,000 American workers in the last 18 months as part of its localisation efforts.

Indian IT services companies have been historically very dependent on H-1B visa to carry their on-shore operations in US. After the issue became part of public discourse, the US government seems to have been taking a tough stance on immigrant workers.

A recent proposal by the Trump administration seeks to further tweak rules for the H-1B visas and that's a worrying development for Indians, who typically garner more than 60% of these visas.

“The inauguration of our Hartford Technology and Innovation Hub is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to help American enterprises revitalize their core businesses,” said Infosys COO U.B. Pravin Rao.

Infosys had previously announced a partnership with Trinity College to create new educational programs that will prepare liberal arts students and Infosys employees for the digital workplace of the future.