AI
Microsoft invests 4.75 billion US dollars in expanding cloud and AI infrastructure in Italy
With the expansion of the "Italy North" cloud region, Microsoft will not only strengthen the IT infrastructure but also enable enterprises and government agencies to implement innovative solutions based on AI technologies more quickly.
Microsoft plans to invest around 4.75 billion US dollars in expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure in Italy over the next two years. This was announced by the US technology company on Wednesday, highlighting its ambitions to strengthen its presence in the European market and meet the growing demand for AI services.
The investment volume of 4.3 billion euros (equivalent to approximately 4.75 billion US dollars) is the company's largest single investment in Italy to date and aims to significantly expand the cloud network in the Northern Italy region. The new "Italy North" cloud region will thus become one of the largest Microsoft data center regions in Europe.
The aim of the investment is to expand the infrastructure for hyperscale cloud and AI applications in Italy, while also promoting the country's digitalization. In addition, Microsoft plans to train over a million people in Italy in digital skills by the end of 2024 to prepare them for work in an increasingly AI-driven economy. This was stated by Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, in a statement.
The expansion of access to AI technology will help the Italian government, businesses, and society as a whole to succeed in an AI-driven economy," emphasized Smith. The investment is not only a sign of commitment to the region but also a response to the strong demand for digital solutions in Europe.
The announcement was made after a meeting between Smith and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. The Italian government welcomed the investment as it has the potential to meet the demand for AI services in the country and position Italy as a digital hub in the Mediterranean.
Microsoft joins a series of US tech giants that have invested billions in expanding their infrastructure in Europe in recent months.
The strategic investments of US technology companies aim to strengthen competitiveness against rivals in the rapidly growing AI market. Advances in AI technology have triggered a wave of investments as companies strive to expand their offerings and meet the demand for increasingly powerful data centers and cloud services.
