Microsoft and Google Boost European AI Investment Amid Upcoming EU Regulation
Summary:
Brad Smith, President and Vice Chairman of Microsoft, has announced plans for a significant investment in artificial intelligence and cloud development in Germany, marking the company's biggest investment in the country in 40 years. Concurrently, Google is ramping up efforts in AI within Europe, including a new research hub in France and a €25 million ($26.9 million) investment in AI skill training initiatives, collaborating with EU governments and various sectors. This comes as EU prepares to roll out the landmark EU AI Act legislation, which aims to regulate AI development and application.
Brad Smith, the President and Vice Chairman of Microsoft, publicized on February 15th an investment plan focused on the future of artificial intelligence and cloud development in Germany. This commitment, announced during an event in the German capital, includes establishing new data centers and enhancing AI education. As suggested by Reuters, this is Microsoft's most significant German investment in four decades. Europe seems to be an increasingly attractive investment location for large tech companies.
Coinciding with this, the French Finance Ministry shared Google's intention to establish a new AI-focused hub in France. The hub, located in Paris, will host almost 300 scientists and engineers to drive France's AI advances. This news comes closely after Google's "AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe" was revealed on February 12th, through which Google pledged to invest €25 million ($26.9 million) to improve European AI skills.
According to Google, they are collaborating with governments across the EU, as well as members of academia, business, and civil society, to provide AI training for local start-ups, reserving €10 million specifically for workers who need these skills to navigate the shifting work landscape. Italy introduced a comparable initiative in 2023, allocating millions to enhance the digital proficiency of employees at risk due to automation and AI.
These sizable investments in European AI are happening as the EU parliament prepares to unveil its landmark EU AI Act legislation. The legislation's preliminary agreement was approved by regulators on February 13th, with the parliamentary vote planned for April. The EU AI Act will be one of the first comprehensive guidelines to oversee AI development and application, being second only to China, which published its guidelines in August 2023.
Published At
2/15/2024 3:09:12 PM
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