Microsoft to invest $3 billion in India’s AI and cloud infrastructure

Microsoft announced plans to invest $3 billion (approximately ₹25,700 crore) to enhance its cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in India. This declaration was made by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella, at a significant conference attended by startup founders and technology executives in Bengaluru on Tuesday. This investment is regarded as Microsoft’s largest expansion effort in India to date.

During the conference, Nadella expressed the potential of AI in redefining India’s technological landscape, stating, “India’s unique ecosystem of skilled programmers and leading tech firms like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro makes it a global leader in AI innovation.” As part of this initiative, Microsoft aims to train 10 million individuals in AI skills by the year 2030, highlighting its commitment to empowering a skilled workforce capable of navigating the evolving technological landscape.

The investment will particularly bolster Microsoft’s Azure cloud services, which currently operate over 60 regions globally and encompass more than 300 data centres. Nadella specified that the focus areas for expansion would include Central, South, West, and South Central India, fostering regional collaborations such as partnerships with telecom giant Jio to broaden the initiative’s impact.

While details regarding the timeline for the investment were not disclosed, Nadella conveyed optimism regarding India’s swift adoption of AI technologies. He noted the significance of the ongoing interest from tech leaders around the globe in India as a burgeoning AI hub. Notably, industry titans such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, AMD Chief Technology Officer Lisa Su, and Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun have visited India recently, reflecting a growing recognition of its potential in the tech sphere.

In addition to his address, Nadella met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss Microsoft’s strategy in advancing India’s AI mission and the India Stack initiative—a framework aimed at enabling digital identities and services across the country. Following their meeting, Nadella shared insights via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing enthusiasm for Microsoft’s commitments towards making India an AI-first nation. In response, Modi acknowledged the significance of Microsoft’s ambitious plans and expressed confidence in India’s readiness to adopt disruptive technologies.

To build upon its skilling initiatives, Microsoft had previously set a target of training 2 million people by 2025, with a focus on underserved regions including smaller towns and rural areas. The freshly announced plan for training an additional 10 million individuals is indicative of the company’s broader mission to empower people and organisations globally. Nadella remarked that these training efforts are critical to enabling individuals to capitalise on the vast opportunities presented by technological advancement.

Moreover, Nadella linked the growing trend of investments in AI infrastructure to economic growth and improved operational efficiency, describing this period as a “golden moment for innovation.” As Microsoft ramps up its global AI expansion strategy—including an investment of $80 billion in AI data centres this year—initiatives like the “Code; Without Barriers” programme are set to further develop an inclusive workforce by training 75,000 women developers by 2024.

In conclusion, Microsoft aims to leverage its substantial investment to transform India into a major player in the global AI landscape, thereby fostering innovation, skills enhancement, and economic progress throughout the region.

Source: Noah Wire Services