The American technology company will invest in robust AI safety and security measures, which will include both Microsoft’s own infrastructure and support for AI developers and customers implementing and leveraging AI applications
Microsoft reveals £2.5bn UK investment over the next three years to expand next generation AI datacentre infrastructure. (Credit: Coolcaesar/Wikimedia Commons)
Microsoft has revealed plans to invest £2.5bn in the UK over the next three years to expand its next generation artificial intelligence (AI) datacentre infrastructure in the country.
The technology company’s new move will bring over 20,000 of the most advanced graphic processing units (GPUs) to the UK by 2026.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The UK started the global conversation on AI earlier this month, and Microsoft’s historic investment is further evidence of the leading role we continue to play in expanding the frontiers of AI to harness it’s economic and scientific benefits.”
Microsoft also aims to increase its datacentre footprint across sites in London and Cardiff along with potential expansion into northern England though the investment.
Besides, the AI infrastructure commitment will address the requirements of the private and public sector and the rising demand for efficient, scalable, and sustainable AI specific compute power.
By extending its Accelerating Foundation Models Research (AFMR) programme to include prioritised access to GPUs for the UK’s science and research community, Microsoft will support AI research.
The American company also intends to make a multi-million-pound investment to train one million people with the skills they require to develop and work with AI.
Furthermore, Microsoft will invest in robust AI safety and security measures. This will include both Microsoft’s own infrastructure and support for AI developers and customers implementing and leveraging AI applications.
Microsoft UK CEO Clare Barclay said: “The pace of change in AI demands action today to build a prosperous future for the UK tomorrow. Today marks the single largest investment in our more than 40-year history in the UK.
“As business and the public sector embrace the AI opportunity, we are building the infrastructure that will support the growth they need, training the people who can deliver it responsibly and securing our society against emergent threats.”