Google has appointed Preeti Lobana as the new head of its India business, filling a key position that had been vacant since Sanjay Gupta's promotion to Asia-Pacific president in July. Lobana, who was previously vice president of advertising technology at Google, takes over at a critical time for the company in India.

India is a crucial market for Google, with the company having spent billions to help more Indians come online and digitize local merchants. In 2020, Google committed to spending another $10 billion in India, underscoring the country's importance to its growth strategy. However, the search giant is also facing intense competition in the digital market, as well as regulatory scrutiny from Indian authorities.

In recent years, Google has faced several penalties and investigations in India. In 2022, the company was fined $162 million for anti-competitive practices on Android, and another $113 million for abusing its dominant position in the Google Play Store. More recently, in March this year, the Indian antitrust regulator opened another investigation into Alphabet's Google, alleging that the company's in-app billing policies were implemented in an "unfair" and "discriminatory manner."

Despite these challenges, Lobana is bullish on the opportunities presented by India's rapidly growing digital market. In a LinkedIn post, she wrote, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to shape the future with AI, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for businesses to boost productivity, solve critical challenges, and create innovative solutions." Her appointment marks a shift from her predecessor Gupta, who came from an entertainment and media background at Star and Disney India.

Lobana's background is in banking, having held positions at NatWest, American Express, and Standard Chartered. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move by Google to strengthen its presence in India, particularly in the area of AI adoption. With her experience in the financial sector, Lobana is well-positioned to drive the adoption of AI-powered solutions among Indian businesses.

Roma Datta Chobey, who served as interim chief, will return to running Google's digital business unit. The transition is expected to be smooth, with Lobana's appointment seen as a key step in Google's efforts to navigate the complex Indian market and capitalize on the opportunities presented by AI.

As Google looks to drive AI adoption in India, Lobana's leadership will be critical in shaping the company's strategy and navigating the regulatory landscape. With her appointment, Google is signaling its commitment to the Indian market and its determination to unlock the potential of AI for businesses and consumers alike.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.