Microsoft is to invest $3.2 billion in UK artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Microsoft is to launch a $3.2 billion investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and training in the UK.
This marks the largest UK investment since the company began trading in the area 40 years ago.
.@Microsoft is committed as a company to ensuring the UK has a world-leading #AI infrastructure, easy access to the skills people need and extensive safeguards for safety and security.https://t.co/qtTrjH9IS9
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) November 30, 2023
Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure
Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith announced the investment in a company blog post. Alongside the $3.2 billion fund, Smith said the company is prioritizing its research program for UK researchers and businesses on Fast Foundation Models.
“This infrastructure investment will help meet the needs of the private and public sectors, which expect to leverage the unique computing power of AI and the latest cloud and AI breakthroughs in an efficient, scalable and sustainable manner.”
Artificial intelligence training
Microsoft is making a multimillion-dollar investment to “train a million people with the skills they need to build and work with AI.”
This includes initial training for employees not hoping to enter the AI field. Per Smith, “The program focuses on building AI agility, developing AI technical skills, supporting AI business transformation, and promoting safe and responsible AI development and use.
Smith said the training will include “the first professional certification in generative AI.” Provides continuous and advanced training to industry professionals.
Candidate trainers must complete Microsoft's “Responsible Generative AI” training to ensure adherence to the ethics and principles of responsible development of AI solutions, Smith wrote.
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AI in the UK
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the news in a blog post. According to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, the UK is leading Europe in artificial intelligence in its efforts in the field, contributing nearly $4.7 billion to the bloc and employing more than 50,000 people.
Hunt described the investment as a “vote of confidence” for the UK.
“The UK is a European technology hub with an ecosystem worth more than Germany and France combined – and this investment is another vote of confidence in us as a science superpower.”
