eWEEK content material and product suggestions are editorially unbiased. We might make cash whenever you click on on hyperlinks to our companions. Learn More.
Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has introduced a $Three billion funding to increase its cloud and synthetic intelligence infrastructure in India over the following two years. Made throughout the Microsoft AI Tour, Nadella’s announcement underlines the corporate’s effort to make India an “AI-first” nation and advance its digital financial system.
“India is rapidly becoming a leader in AI innovation, unlocking new opportunity across the country,” Nadella stated. “The investments in infrastructure and skilling we are announcing today reaffirm our commitment to making India AI-first, and will help ensure people and organizations across the country benefit broadly.”
This AI funding goals to scale Microsoft’s cloud capability and assist India’s rising AI-driven startups and analysis initiatives. The tech main plans to determine new information facilities, with a fourth area set to go stay in 2026, bettering infrastructure for the nation’s increasing digital financial system.
Teaching AI Skills to 10 Million Indian Citizens
The AI funding announcement comes alongside a pledge to coach 10 million individuals in AI expertise by 2030 by way of Microsoft’s ADVANTA(I)GE India initiative. The program educated 2.four million people in 2024, with a concentrate on inclusivity—65 p.c of contributors have been ladies, and a good portion got here from tier two and tier three cities. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, highlighted the corporate’s mission to convey AI “from boardrooms to classrooms, commerce to communities, and finance to farmers.”
Microsoft additionally launched the AI Innovation Network, led by its Microsoft Research (MSR) Lab, to advertise collaboration between researchers, startups, and companies. The community goals to speed up the transition of AI analysis into real-world options, with noteworthy partnerships like Physics Wallah specializing in customized training applied sciences.
In addition, a brand new partnership with SaaSBoomi will assist 5,000 startups and 10,000 entrepreneurs, significantly in tier two cities. Over the following 5 years, this collaboration goals to create 200,000 jobs, appeal to $1.5 billion in enterprise capital funding, and contribute to India’s trillion-dollar SaaS financial system.
Microsoft’s skilling efforts align with India’s mission to bridge the digital divide and create job alternatives.
“Collaborations with global leaders like Microsoft and similar companies are pivotal in this transformation,” stated India’s Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Jayant Chaudhary, praising the collaboration. “By equipping our workforce, especially women and youth, with advanced skills, we are building an AI-ready India, poised for digital leadership and sustainable economic growth.”
Learn extra concerning the the highest firms driving AI transformation globally.
