Microsoft investment: 3.3 billion euros for AI

Just a few months ago, Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair & President, took to the stage at the Smart Country Convention to talk about the expansion of AI-based technologies in Germany and Europe. Now Microsoft is putting its goals into practice: The tech giant plans to invest around 3.3 billion euros in Germany by 2025 to expand data centre capacities and create a foundation for the further development of AI-based applications.

The largest share of the investment will go to Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, where new data centres and cloud regions are to be built. Neither the federal government nor the states that will benefit significantly had to make any advance payments for this: "We will not receive any subsidies and have not asked for any," emphasised Smith during a discussion at Microsoft's representative office in Berlin.

For the federal and state governments, the Group's AI offensive offers a massive locational advantage in the race for Europe's largest tech and economic hubs. According to Smith, the expansion and application of AI technologies is a key early indicator for the further economic development of a region. In view of the labour market, the Microsoft President also sees signs of growth:

"If AI does what it should do, then it will also help all other areas of the economy to become more innovative and globally competitive. It will also contribute to employment growth."

"If AI does what it should do, then it will also help all other areas of the economy to become more innovative and globally competitive. It will also contribute to job growth."

The tech giant's comprehensive investment programme also includes the creation of targeted training and further education programmes for the application of artificial intelligence. Around 1.2 million people are set to benefit from this over the next few years. The Group is working closely with the German Federal Employment Agency, the employers' association and various non-governmental organisations to achieve this.

We look forward to learning more about the project at the Smart Country Convention 2024.

The full opening keynote by Microsoft President Brad Smith at the Smart Country Convention 2023 is available on ourSCCON Youtube channel.