Microsoft announced on Monday, June 3, 2024, its commitment to invest 33.7 billion kronor ($3.2 billion) over the span of two years in bolstering cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Sweden, marking its largest financial pledge in the country to date.
As part of this initiative, Microsoft plans to educate 250,000 individuals by 2027, aiming to enhance AI proficiency and expertise. Additionally, the company will expand the capabilities of its three data centers located within Sweden.
Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair of Microsoft, emphasized the significance of this investment during a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, stating that it represents Microsoft’s most substantial commitment to Sweden thus far. He underscored Sweden’s progressive energy policies and abundant access to green energy as pivotal factors enabling such an investment.
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Microsoft’s recent endeavors reflect a broader trend of substantial AI investments globally. In countries like France, the company has pledged four billion euros, while in Japan, it has announced a $2.9 billion investment in AI technologies.
In Sweden specifically, Microsoft’s investment will involve supplying over 20,000 graphic processing units (GPUs) essential for AI model training, along with expanding the capacity of its data centers in Sandviken, Gavle, and Staffanstorp.
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Prime Minister Kristersson highlighted the transformative potential of AI, describing it as a catalyst for progress across various domains. He expressed optimism that Microsoft’s significant investment could serve as a catalyst for further economic development in Sweden.
