Microsoft, the prominent Big Tech company, has made a groundbreaking commitment to invest a staggering 3.2 billion euros ($3.44 billion) into Germany over the next two years. The primary focus of this investment will be on enhancing the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
The announcement regarding this substantial funding was made by Brad Smith, the President and Vice Chairman of Microsoft, during an event held in Berlin on February 15. The event centered around Microsoft’s future plans for AI and cloud development in Germany.
As part of its investment strategy, Microsoft will prioritize the construction of new data centers within the country, as well as providing training to individuals interested in developing AI skills. This investment marks the largest commitment made by Microsoft in Germany in the last four decades, according to a report by Reuters.
Europe has emerged as an attractive destination for major technology companies looking to invest. On the same day, the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty of France disclosed Google’s intentions to establish a dedicated AI hub within the country.
This AI hub, set to be based in Paris, will accommodate around 300 researchers and engineers who will support France’s AI ambitions. Interestingly, this announcement closely followed Google’s unveiling of the “AI Opportunity Initiative for Europe” on February 12. Through this initiative, Google pledged to invest 25 million euros ($26.9 million) to support AI skills training for Europeans.
Google emphasized its collaboration with European Union governments, civil society, academics, and businesses to provide AI training to local startups. The initiative aims to allocate 10 million euros specifically for workers who require AI skills to avoid being left behind.
In a similar vein, the Italian government introduced its own initiative in 2023, allocating significant funds to develop the digital skills of workers at risk of losing their jobs due to automation and AI.
These investments in European AI infrastructure and skills coincide with the European Parliament’s forthcoming AI Act. On February 13, regulators approved the preliminary agreement for this legislation, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for April.
The EU AI Act would establish one of the world’s first comprehensive sets of regulations to oversee the development and deployment of AI, second only to China, which introduced its own set of rules on the technology in August 2023.
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