Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is gearing up to invest a hefty $2.9 billion in AI projects in Japan, the company announced in a press release. This marks the largest investment Microsoft has made in Japan to date, according to a report by Nikkei, which cited an interview with Microsoft President Brad Smith.
The investment aims to bolster Microsoft’s cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan, with a focus on training 3 million individuals in AI skills. Additionally, Microsoft plans to establish a new Microsoft Research Asia lab in Tokyo, emphasizing research and development in robotics and AI. Brad Smith highlighted the potential for Japan to leverage its technological expertise in various domains through these initiatives.
As part of its infrastructure expansion, Microsoft intends to deploy advanced AI semiconductors at two existing sites in Japan. Moreover, the company will collaborate with the Japanese government to enhance cybersecurity resilience.
This announcement comes hot on the heels of Microsoft’s unveiling of its AI-focused organization, Microsoft AI, which is set to inaugurate a new AI hub in London. The hub will collaborate with Microsoft teams and partners, including OpenAI, to develop language models and supporting infrastructure for foundation models.
Microsoft’s commitment to AI extends beyond Japan and the UK. In the United Kingdom, Microsoft has already established a presence through the Microsoft Research Cambridge lab and has pledged an investment of 2.5 billion pounds (approximately $3.2 billion) to train the local workforce for the AI era and build AI infrastructure.
Microsoft’s strategic alignment with OpenAI positions it as a major beneficiary of AI spending, propelling the company’s market capitalization to over $3 trillion. The recent surge in adoption of generative AI, along with Microsoft’s Copilot activity, has further bolstered deals for its Azure cloud platform, benefiting from increased investment in AI technologies.
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Author Stephanie Bédard-Châteauneuf