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 Photos
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 large’s largest funding in Asia.
The corporate mentioned that the investments, geared toward increasing hyperscale infrastructure, embedding AI into nationwide platforms, and advancing workforce readiness, can 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 through 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 publish on social media, Nadella thanked Modi and mentioned 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 atone for AI, with Modi emphasizing constructing a complete tech ecosystem and AI sovereignty. The nation has additionally not too long ago attracted knowledge middle funding pledges of $15 billion from Google and $8 billion from Amazon Net Providers.
“The youth of India will harness this chance to innovate and leverage the ability of AI for a greater planet,” Modi mentioned in a publish on X, referring to Microsoft’s funding.
Microsoft’s investments give it a “first‑mover benefit in GPU‑wealthy knowledge facilities whereas making Azure the popular platform for India’s AI workloads,” mentioned 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 clients throughout areas in India. It now supplies “Sovereign Public Cloud” and “Sovereign Personal Cloud” providers 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 talent 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 & Data Know-how Ashwini Vaishnaw referred to as the funding a sign of India’s rise as a dependable world know-how companion, 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 shopper market and public funding have attracted main tech gamers.
Below its “India Semiconductor Mission,” the nation has authorized 10 chip tasks with whole investments of over $18 billion.
On Monday, American chip designer Intel signed a deal with Mumbai-based Tata Electronics geared toward collaborating on chip choices within the nation, together with on merchandise for AI functions.
