Microsoft Pledges $2.1B for AI and Cloud Expansion in Spain Amid Growing Tech Investments in Europe
Summary:
Microsoft is investing $2.1 billion to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in Spain. The company's commitment, to be realized over two years, is part of its ongoing support for Spain's digital transformation. This follows a previous Microsoft investment in Germany's AI ecosystem and a growing trend of major tech firms increasing AI development-related investments in Europe. Concurrently, France and Google have announced plans for a new AI-focused hub in Paris. Earlier, Google pledged €25 million for AI skill training in Europe.
Microsoft has declared another noteworthy investment in Europe, allotting $2.1 billion towards the enhancement of its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud facilities in Spain. Brad Smith, Microsoft's vice president and president, shared on X social network following a discussion with Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. He stated that Microsoft's monetary commitment to Spain, which spans over the coming two years, isn't merely about data center construction. It's also focused on endorsing the security, progression, and digital makeover of the government, businesses, and inhabitants of the nation.
For the past 37 years, Microsoft has been putting money in Spain. In September 2021, the corporation proclaimed the establishment of a research and development hub for AI technologies in Barcelona, Spain. Alberto Granados, President of Microsoft Spain, indicated that their investment demonstrated Spain's competence in the digital field.
This contribution from Microsoft comes hot on the heels of a prior investment in Europe on February 15. It involved pumping €3 billion into the development of Germany's AI ecosystem. Microsoft echoed its Spanish strategy by promising, over the next two years, to use the funds to escalate German AI facilities, construct new data centers, and facilitate AI skill development.
There's a wider trend observable: major tech corporations are increasingly investing in Europe for AI development, aligning with the approaching introduction of the European Union's landmark AI Act legislation. Concurrently with Microsoft's German investment announcement, the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France, alongside Google, put forth plans for a new AI-focused hub in Paris. This hub aims to accommodate almost 300 engineers and researchers to boost the nation's AI objectives. Two days earlier, Google revealed its "AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe," pledging to invest €25 million ($26.9 million) towards AI skill training for Europeans.
Published At
2/20/2024 2:22:57 PM
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