Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella seems at an occasion with tech CEOs and senior officers, together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, within the East Room of the White Home in Washington on June 22, 2023.
Chris Kleponis | CNP | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures
Microsoft on Tuesday introduced it could make investments $17.5 billion in India’s cloud and synthetic intelligence infrastructure, making it the U.S. tech big’s largest funding in Asia.
The corporate stated that the investments, aimed toward increasing hyperscale infrastructure, embedding AI into nationwide platforms, and advancing workforce readiness, might be unfold over 4 years, constructing on its $3 billion pledge made in January.
The announcement follows a gathering between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which the 2 mentioned India’s AI ambitions. Modi met with different tech CEOs on Tuesday too together with Intel‘s Lip-Bu Tan.
In a put up on social media, Nadella thanked Modi and stated that Microsoft’s investments would “assist construct the infrastructure, abilities, and sovereign capabilities wanted for India’s AI first future.”
The transfer comes as India makes an attempt to compensate for AI, with Modi emphasizing constructing a complete tech ecosystem and AI sovereignty. The nation has additionally not too long ago attracted information middle funding pledges of $15 billion from Google and $8 billion from Amazon Internet Companies.
“The youth of India will harness this chance to innovate and leverage the facility of AI for a greater planet,” Modi stated in a put up on X, referring to Microsoft’s funding.
Microsoft’s investments give it a “first‑mover benefit in GPU‑wealthy information facilities whereas making Azure the popular platform for India’s AI workloads,” stated Tarun Pathak, Analysis Director at Counterpoint Analysis. This aligns with New Delhi’s AI public infrastructure push, he added.
Microsoft plans to make use of the funds to scale up its current cloud and AI infrastructure to serve prospects throughout areas in India. It now gives “Sovereign Public Cloud” and “Sovereign Personal Cloud” companies in a number of areas.
The corporate added that it was doubling its January dedication to coach 20 million Indians in AI by 2030, with hopes to develop and ability its greater than 22,000 staff within the nation.
Microsoft additionally introduced on Tuesday that it could be integrating its Azure AI capabilities into two key digital public platforms of India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Nationwide Profession Service.
India’s Union Minister of Electronics & Info Know-how Ashwini Vaishnaw referred to as the funding a sign of India’s rise as a dependable world expertise accomplice, accelerating the shift from digital to AI public infrastructure.
Whereas India lags far behind world leaders in superior applied sciences like chips and AI, the nation’s huge client market and public funding have attracted main tech gamers.
Below its “India Semiconductor Mission,” the nation has accredited 10 chip initiatives with whole investments of over $18 billion.
On Monday, American chip designer Intel signed a deal with Mumbai-based Tata Electronics aimed toward collaborating on chip choices within the nation, together with on merchandise for AI purposes.