Microsoft has committed a staggering £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) investment in Britain over the next three years, marking its largest single investment in the country. The UK government views this initiative as pivotal for bolstering future advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).
Amid predictions of a sluggish economy in the forthcoming years, Britain is actively encouraging private investment, especially in burgeoning sectors such as AI, to support the development of new infrastructure.
Initially revealed during a summit hosted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the substantial investment by Microsoft will substantially increase the company's datacenter capacity in Britain. This expansion will play a crucial role in facilitating the infrastructure needed for the functioning of new AI models.
In a statement on Thursday, Sunak termed this announcement as a pivotal moment for the future of AI infrastructure and its development in the UK.
Despite earlier concerns expressed by Microsoft President Brad Smith in April regarding a regulatory decision in the country that posed a risk to the tech industry's confidence, the company has now announced this substantial investment. The UK's approval of a restructured version of Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard played a key role in reinstating confidence between Microsoft and Britain.
Expressing Microsoft's commitment to ensuring the UK maintains world-leading AI infrastructure, Smith emphasized the importance of the investment during a statement released while hosting Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt at a datacenter under construction in north London.
This investment package entails bringing over 20,000 advanced Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to Britain, which are fundamental for machine learning and AI development, as highlighted in the government's statement. Furthermore, the investment will encompass a comprehensive training program aimed at equipping British citizens with the necessary skills to engage with and contribute to AI development.
