Microsoft to invest $3 billion in AI and cloud technology development in India
Company's big plans for India
The American corporation Microsoft intends to invest $3 billion in the development of cloud technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in India. These investments include training 500,000 people in AI and establishing new data centers by 2026.
Key takeaways
- Over the next two years, Microsoft will allocate $3 billion for the development of cloud technologies and AI in India.
- To implement the initiative, the corporation has partnered with companies such as RailTel, Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra Group, and upGrad.
- Microsoft has previously declined to include Bitcoin reserves in its corporate strategy.
Ambitious plans
According to Cointelegraph, on January 8, during the Microsoft AI Tour event in Bangalore, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the company's plan to invest $3 billion over two years to develop AI and cloud technologies in India, calling it “the most significant expansion the company has ever undertaken in the region.”
Loading...
Within the INDIAai initiative, Microsoft plans to train 10 million Indians in cloud technology and AI skills by 2030. The program is targeted at students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs.
According to Nadella, the new investments will help expand Azure's presence in India. After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadella emphasized that the country’s vibrant entrepreneurial activity reinforces Microsoft’s confidence in the future development of the AI ecosystem.
Choice of partners for initiative implementation
Microsoft has partnered with companies such as RailTel, Apollo Hospitals, Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra Group, and upGrad to support their projects and customers in cloud technology and AI. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, stated that 2.4 million Indians have already undergone training through the company’s educational programs.
Puneet Chandok at the Microsoft AI Tour conference. Source: x.com/puneetck
Additionally, Microsoft plans to promote AI initiatives in smaller cities and communities by creating "AI catalysts" and supporting 1,000 AI startups in India through its Founders Hub program.
Rejection of Bitcoin
Previously, Microsoft had considered using Bitcoin as a reserve asset but ultimately rejected the idea due to its volatility and environmental risks. According to company representatives, despite its interest in cryptocurrencies, Microsoft adheres to more traditional approaches to managing reserves, such as investments in bonds and liquid assets.
The company has chosen to focus on developing blockchain solutions for corporate use, such as Microsoft Azure Blockchain, which aligns with environmental and financial standards. In the context of expansion, this decision appears logical, as working with cryptocurrencies in India is associated with various risks.
