SYDNEY, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Microsoft on Thursday announced it will spend 17.9 billion U.S. dollars on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Australia over the next three years in the technology giant's largest-ever investment in the country.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the 25 billion Australian dollar (17.9 billion U.S. dollars) investment in Sydney, declaring that it will expand Microsoft's AI supercomputing and cloud infrastructure and boost Australia's cyber defenses.
The commitment includes funding for data centers, AI skills training for three million Australian workers and expanded collaboration between Microsoft and the federal government on cybersecurity and national resilience.
"Australia has an enormous opportunity to translate AI into real economic growth and societal benefit," Nadella said. "That is why we are making our largest investment in Australia to date."
Albanese said that the commitment from Microsoft would help Australia capture the economic opportunities of AI while also protecting from the risks. ■
