Microsoft announced it will spend $80 billion this year to build a large data center network. This was revealed in a statement by Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith.
Smith laid out a three-part vision for technology success in America. This includes:
- Advances and investments in world-leading American AI technology and infrastructure
- Champion skilling programs that will enable widespread AI adoption and enhanced career opportunities across the economy
- A focus on exporting American AI to allies, supporting the domestic economy, and ensuring that other countries benefit from AI advancements.
“In FY 2025, Microsoft is on track to invest approximately $80 billion to build out AI-enabled data centers to train AI models and deploy AI and cloud-based applications around the world. More than half of this total investment will be in the United States, reflecting our commitment to this country and our confidence in the American economy,” said Smith.
Smith also emphasized that AI skilling has become necessary for the country as it is reshaping the nature of work and the job future. AI will help create new opportunities and enable entrepreneurs to start new businesses and create new jobs. Plus, AI can increase productivity in every sector of the economy, adding to the country’s opportunity for growth.
This new year, Microsoft is on a path to train 2.5 million American students, workers, and community members with AI skills necessary to land new jobs, pursue new careers, and build new businesses. For community colleges, Microsoft is already partnering with the National AI Consortium for Community Colleges to provide industry-aligned AI curriculum and the company is developing faculty training through AI Bootcamps that will help prepare students with in-demand skills. For teachers, Microsoft is working with workforce agencies to enhance AI skills and career guidance through a Microsoft Copilot for Career Navigators initiative, providing tools to effectively support communities in the AI-driven economy.
Microsoft’s goal is to reach every corner of the country, including rural communities. For example, the National 4-H AI Skills Partnership will use Minecraft Education to introduce AI concepts and increase AI fluency for 1.4 million young learners. And with the Future Farmers of America’s FarmBeats for Students program, we are helping young people use AI to advance precision agriculture.
“The key to the future is to bring together the best of what we can offer across American society, from across our private sector, educational and non-profit institutions, and government. Teamwork based on technology collaboration will build the foundation for a golden AI opportunity—and for the next generation of American prosperity,” Smith added.
Last year, Microsoft announced with national leaders that it intends to invest over $35 billion in 14 countries within three years to build trusted and secure AI and cloud data center infrastructure. And this is part of a global infrastructure that now reaches 40 countries, such as the Global South, where China has frequently focused so many of its Belt and Road investments. To enhance its capabilities, Microsoft is partnering with the UAE’s sovereign AI company G42 to bring AI infrastructure to Kenya. And Microsoft is working with Blackrock and MGX to create an international investment fund to add up to $100 billion of additional funding for AI infrastructure and the AI supply chain.
