Microsoft has announced a major investment of $3.3 billion in the US state of Wisconsin, claiming it will democratize artificial intelligence (AI). The investment is aimed at strengthening our AI and cloud infrastructure, launching an extensive skills training program, and establishing a manufacturing-focused AI co-innovation lab.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the company's commitment to democratizing AI to drive economic growth around the world, including in the United States. “We are committed to democratizing AI to create new economic growth and opportunity here in the United States and around the world. That’s why today we are bringing cloud and AI infrastructure and skills to Wisconsin. It is an AI collaborative innovation lab focused on improvement and manufacturing,” Nadella said.
Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft, explained that investments are focused on leveraging advanced AI and training programs. Smith argued that the project will also impact neighboring states because he has roots in Wisconsin and much of the equipment will be purchased from there.
Mr Smith said: “Growing up in Wisconsin, I came to appreciate the state's rich, historic heritage of innovation and ingenuity in manufacturing. @Microsoft's $3.3 billion investment expands our resources, scale, and , the know-how will be combined with the world's most advanced AI and put into skills training to utilize it.”
We are focused on democratizing AI to create new economic growth and opportunity here in the United States and around the world. That's why today we're talking about cloud and AI infrastructure, skilling, and… https://t.co/ddympnGEk3
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) May 8, 2024
