Microsoft Commits to a $50B AI Investment in the Global South by 2030
Microsoft made a significant announcement at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The tech giant is set to invest a whopping $50 billion by the end of the decade. This investment aims to bolster artificial intelligence capabilities across developing countries in the Global South.
This ambitious commitment comes from Microsoft President Brad Smith and Chief Responsible AI Officer Natasha Crampton. They highlight a growing digital divide. The latest AI Diffusion Report from Microsoft reveals that AI adoption in the Global North is roughly twice that of the Global South.
The $50 billion investment will be channeled into several key areas:
- Building critical AI infrastructure, including data centers
- Expanding internet connectivity
- Training local workforces
- Supporting multilingual AI capabilities
In the last year alone, Microsoft invested over $8 billion in Global South infrastructure. A significant portion, $17.5 billion, was committed specifically to India, one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
This investment aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to position itself as a development partner with emerging economies. The goal is to help lower-income countries leverage AI for various sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services. At the same time, Microsoft aims to secure an early market share in AI-adopting regions.
Source: CNN Business