Microsoft Corporation is to invest €4 billion ($4.3 billion) in cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure in France, marking its most recent substantial investment in AI technology.
By 2027, the American tech behemoth hopes to have trained one million individuals and supported 2,500 companies. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced a €15 million collaboration and investment in Mistral AI, a Paris-based firm competing with Open AI.
France has mostly concentrated on building AI tools, with assistance from government money as well as local billionaires Mistral and Kyutai, who created a non-profit AI research foundation the previous year.
Microsoft’s announcement is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s “Choose France” summit, which aims to lure international corporations and establish France as a financial hub in the European Union.
Another American internet behemoth, Amazon, has promised to investing €1.2 billion on infrastructure and computing in the country.
Furthermore, the Élysée Palace reports that 56 initiatives in various industries would be unveiled during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Microsoft is increasing its global investment in the Azure cloud and related AI capabilities.
In February, the business announced an investment of €3.2 billion ($3.5 billion) in Germany. In April, it invested $1.5 billion in G42, an artificial intelligence business located in Abu Dhabi.
Microsoft is also under heightened investigation for antitrust concerns in its cloud business and AI investments, which include more than $10 billion in OpenAI.