Microsoft's €4.3 Billion Investment in Italy: Boosting AI and Cloud Infrastructure

Microsoft to invest €4.3bn in Italy to boost cloud and AI

This is Microsoft's biggest investment in Italy and will make the Italy North region one of its largest data centre regions in Europe. Microsoft will be investing €4.3bn in Italy to expand its cloud and AI data centre infrastructure and provide digital skills training to more than 1m Italians by the end of 2025. The announcement made yesterday (2 October) brings about Microsoft's biggest investment in Italy to date, making the Italy North region one of Microsoft's largest data centre regions in Europe, serving as a key hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa. The software giant intends to collaborate with industry partners, universities, non-profit organisations and government institutions to train and upskill Italian workers in AI fluency, technical AI skills and the promotion of safe and responsible AI development. Microsoft will also launch initiatives to skill workers from disadvantaged communities, the announcement read. "Our Italy North region will continue in accelerating digital transformation and skills in Italy, ensuring that no one is left behind," said Vincenzo Esposito, general manager at Microsoft Italy. The announcement said that Microsoft's investment in northern Italy will play a crucial role in meeting its European data boundary requirement, a geographic boundary within which Microsoft stores and processes customer and personal data. EU customer data is rarely transferred outside this boundary. Microsoft said that adopting generative AI technology could boost Italy's annual GDP by up to €312bn in the next 15 years while adding a value increase of €122bn to SMEs and 'made in Italy' companies. Brad Smith, the vice-chair and president of Microsoft, said that "this landmark investment underscores our long-standing commitment to Italy's digital transformation". "By expanding access to our AI technology and expertise, we are equipping the Italian government, businesses and the broader workforce with the tools to build an AI-driven economy that creates jobs and drives prosperity." Just days earlier, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni met with Larry Fink, CEO of US investment firm BlackRock, to discuss possible investments by the company in Italy to develop data centres, transport and investment opportunities in other strategic sectors. The two agreed to set up an "ad hoc" working group coordinated by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to implement the projects that would be developed. Last month, Microsoft and BlackRock partnered to invest in data centres to support the growth of AI, primarily in the US. However, the two will also invest some of the funding into "US partner countries". Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

Microsoft to Invest $4.8 billion on AI, Cloud Infrastructure in Italy

Microsoft plans to spend about $4.75 billion over the next two years in cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Italy, as global tech companies continue to boost their footprints overseas amid a boom in demand for AI computing. The U.S. tech giant plans to spend 4.3 billion euros, the equivalent of about $4.75 billion to grow its hyperscale cloud and AI datacenter infrastructure, as well as provide digital skills training to over 1 million Italians by the end of 2025, it said in a statement Wednesday. Microsoft said this investment will be its largest in Italy to date, and will make its cloud region, Italy North, one of Microsoft's largest datacenter regions in Europe. A region refers to a cluster of data centers. Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni met with Microsoft President Brad Smith in Rome on Wednesday, Italy's government said in a statement, adding that Meloni welcomed the investment that would support the growing AI demand in the country, and strengthen Italy's role "as a digital hub in the Mediterranean."

Microsoft to Invest $4.8 Billion on AI, Cloud Infrastructure in Italy -- Update

Microsoft plans to spend about $4.75 billion over the next two years in cloud and artificial-intelligence infrastructure in Italy, the latest pledge from U.S. tech giants to bolster their presence overseas amid booming demand for AI services. The U.S. tech giant said in a statement Wednesday that it would pour 4.3 billion euros ($4.75 billion) to grow its hyperscale cloud and AI data center infrastructure in the country and provide digital skills training to more than 1 million people by the end of next year. Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft, said expanding access to AI technology would benefit the Italian government, businesses and the broader workforce to operate in an AI-driven economy. The investment, Microsoft's largest to date in the country, comes as tech giants bet on expanding their facilities and services to gain an edge over rivals in the AI race. Advancements in AI have ushered in a wave of spending from companies seeking to bolster their offering and satisfy demand for increasingly powerful data centers and cloud services. Amazon.com said in June that it was planning to invest 17.8 billion euros through 2040 to expand its logistics network and cloud infrastructure in Germany. The e-commerce giant also laid out plans to invest 15.7 billion euros over the next decade to expand its cloud services in Spain. Microsoft said its investment would make Northern Italy one of the company's largest cloud regions in Europe. A cloud region refers to a cluster of data centers. The company announced the investment after Smith met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. The Italian government said in a statement that Meloni welcomed the funding pledge since it would support growing demand for AI services in the country and strengthen Italy's role as a digital hub in the Mediterranean. Write to Kimberley Kao at kimberley.kao@wsj.com and Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com

Microsoft to Invest $4.8 Billion in Italy for AI Infrastructure | PYMNTS.com

Microsoft announced Wednesday (Oct. 2) plans for a €4.3 billion ($4.8 billion) investment in Italy, its biggest investment in the country so far. The initiative is set to roll out over the next two years, allowing the Big Tech company to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) data center infrastructure while providing digital skills training to more than 1 million Italians by the end of next year, Microsoft said in a news release. "Microsoft's data center expansion in Northern Italy coupled with its commitment to provide extensive AI skills training supports the rising demand for AI compute and cloud services across Italy as organizations look to boost productivity and uncover new breakthroughs with AI," the company said. "This landmark investment underscores our long-standing commitment to Italy's digital transformation," said Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft. "By expanding access to our AI technology and expertise, we are equipping the Italian government, businesses, and the broader workforce with the tools to build an AI-driven economy that creates jobs and drives prosperity." The multibillion-dollar infusion will make Italy North one of Microsoft's largest data center regions on the continent and will play a critical part in meeting European data boundary requirements, the release said. The new data center will also serve as a data hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa. Microsoft also said it plans to roll out new training programs for more than 1 million people in Italy by 2025, focused on AI fluency, technical AI skills, AI business transformation and the promotion of safe and responsible AI development. This comes shortly after news that a new coalition of tech and finance giants are working together to build a network of data centers that can meet growing global demand for AI. As PYMNTS reported on Sept. 18, the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership is putting $100 billion into building new infrastructure, with the aim of reducing strain on existing data centers and power sources. The new coalition is being spearheaded by Microsoft, BlackRock and other companies. "We are committed to ensuring AI helps advance innovation and drives growth across every sector of the economy," Satya Nadella, the chairman and CEO of Microsoft, said in a news release at the time. "The Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership will help us deliver on this vision, as we bring together financial and industry leaders to build the infrastructure of the future and power it in a sustainable way." The initiative plans to raise up to $30 billion in private equity financing and invest up to $100 billion. While the investments will be primarily focused within the U.S., the partnership said it may also pursue opportunities in other countries.

Microsoft to Invest EUR 4.3 Billion for AI and Cloud in Italy

Northern Italy will become one of Microsoft's largest data center regions in Europe. Microsoft announced a EUR 4.3 billion investment over the next two years to expand its hyperscale cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) data center infrastructure and provide digital skills training to more than 1 million Italians by the end of 2025. This is its largest investment in Italy to date, said Microsoft on Wednesday. This move aims to help Italy maximise the opportunities of AI and contribute to the Italian government's focus on long-term economic growth and demographic challenges, according to Microsoft. Also Read: OpenAI Raises USD 6.6 Billion to Accelerate AI Research and Expansion Microsoft will expand its data center in Northern Italy to support the rising demand for AI computing and cloud services across the country, as organisations look to boost productivity and uncover new breakthroughs with AI, the company said. This expansion will establish Northern Italy as one of Microsoft's largest data center regions in Europe, enabling compliance with local data regulations and positioning it as a critical hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa, Microsoft noted. By integrating AI into strategic sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and public administration, Italy can innovate production processes, improve patient outcomes, enhance financial services, and increase the efficiency of public services. Moreover, incorporating AI into local small and medium-sized enterprises can enable the country to unlock new levels of innovation and entrepreneurship, Microsoft explained. "This landmark investment underscores our long-standing commitment to Italy's digital transformation," said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. "By expanding access to our AI technology and expertise, we are equipping the Italian government, businesses, and the broader workforce with the tools to build an AI-driven economy that creates jobs and drives prosperity." Also Read: Oracle to Invest Over USD 6.5 Billion in AI and Cloud Computing in Malaysia To help companies learn about the opportunities of AI for their growth, Microsoft Italy has created the AI LAB program. Over 320 companies have joined the initiative in the past year, creating more than 450 Generative AI projects, with 50 percent already operational, all supported by a network of 30 local partners to enhance innovation, creativity, and productivity. To support this initiative, Microsoft will launch its AI National Skilling Initiative, focusing on AI fluency and technical skills. A recent study by TEHA Group and Microsoft Italy revealed that the widespread adoption of generative AI could potentially increase Italy's GDP by up to EUR 312 billion over the next 15 years. Also Read: AI Can Help You Be More Productive at Work, Says Microsoft CEO and More Microsoft also emphasised its commitment to advancing the sustainability of AI. In Italy, the company has executed three Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy and is pursuing additional contractual opportunities in the near future. Microsoft has also cited "AI 4 Italy: Impacts and Prospects of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Italy and Made in Italy," which references The European House - Ambrosetti, a private think tank in its announcement.

Microsoft to invest 4.3 bln euros in Italy for AI infrastructure and cloud capacity

MILAN, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab said in a statement on Wednesday it would invest 4.3 billion euros ($4.75 billion) over the next two years to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and cloud capacity in Italy. The investment will be the company's largest in Italy to date, Microsoft added. ($1 = 0.9056 euros) Reporting by Elvira Pollina, writing by Alvise Armellini, editing by Gavin Jones Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Microsoft to invest $4.8B in Italy for AI, cloud infrastructure (MSFT)

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) said on Wednesday that it will invest $4.75B, or 4.3B euros over the next two years to boost its capacity for artificial intelligence infrastructure and cloud capacity in Italy. Microsoft shares fell 0.6% in late morning trading. More on Microsoft Microsoft Will Overcome Capacity Constraints For AI Training And Inferencing Microsoft Delivers The World's Most Accurate Qubits Microsoft: Buy In Time For AI Payoff Google advances AI reasoning abilities to challenge OpenAI: report OpenAI unveils new tools for devs to build AI models, including Realtime API