After participating with almost a billion dollars in OpenAI’s new financing, Microsoft through an official note, announced the allocation of 4.3 billion euros for the next two years, aimed at expanding the hyperscale cloud data center and artificial intelligence infrastructure, as well as the creation of a training plan dedicated to developing the digital skills of over 1 million Italians eEnter the end of 2025.
The initiative, which represents the largest economic commitment ever undertaken in Italy, aims to prepare the country to maximize the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and to support the economic and demographic objectives of the Italian government. The expansion of Microsoft’s data center network in Northern Italy, combined with the commitment to improve artificial intelligence skills, arises from the growing demand for advanced cloud services, allowing organizations to increase productivity and innovation. The new Cloud Region ItalyNorth will become one of Microsoft’s largest data center areas in Europe acting as strategic hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa. This development will support European Data Boundary standards, but will also be in line with the government’s plan under the G7 Presidency to promote collaboration with developing nations.
“This historic investment further strengthens our long-standing commitment to Italy’s digital transformation“he declared Brad Smith, Vice President and President of Microsoft. “By expanding access to our technology and promoting the spread of AI skills, we want to provide the Italian government, businesses and workforce with the tools to build an AI-driven economy that creates jobs and prosperity“.
“In less than a year, our Cloud Region has supported Italian and global companies to achieve greater productivity and innovation“he declared Vincenzo Esposito, CEO of Microsoft Italy. “This new investment confirms our commitment to Italy’s sustainable growth, helping organizations harness the power of the Cloud and generative AI, while providing Italians with the skills to maximize these technologies. Our ItalyNorth Region will continue to accelerate digital transformation and skills in Italy, so as not to leave anyone behind“.
Introducing advanced AI capabilities into key industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance and government offers Italy the opportunity to innovate its production processes, improve medical diagnoses and treatments, strengthen financial services and increase the efficiency of public services.
The investment also considers security as a central element, Microsoft is committed to ensuring that the technologies and services developed are safe and trustworthy, strengthening cybersecurity nationwide.
The Cloud Region will operate according to the Microsoft AI Access Principles, aimed at promoting innovation and competition in the artificial intelligence economy. These principles will guide the company in investments, partnerships and programs aimed at ensuring broad access to AI technology, enabling organizations and individuals to develop and use these technologies for the benefit of society.
Training and Skills Development
The Microsoft’s National Skilling Initiative aims to train over 1 million Italians by the end of 2025. This initiative will address the skills shortage in artificial intelligence by addressing a alarming study by TEHA Group and Microsoft Italia, which indicates that 63% of Italian entrepreneurs recognize a lack of skills in generative AI. The diffusion of these skills is crucial, given that the pervasive adoption of artificial intelligence could increase Italy’s annual GDP by up to 312 billion euros over the next 15 years.
Training programs will be developed in collaboration with a vast network of partners, including government institutions, universities and non-profit organizations. In particular, initiatives such as “Include to Grow” and “Ital.IA LAB” will focus on disadvantaged communities women wishing to re-enter the job market and young people looking for opportunities.
Sustainability and Responsibility in AI
Microsoft, in the same official note, announces that it wants to innovate but in a responsible and sustainable way. The company has adopted six core principles for responsible AI: Fairness, Trust and Protection, Privacy and Security, Inclusivity, Transparency and Accountability. These principles will guide Microsoft’s approach to ensuring the ethical and accessible use of AI technologies.
Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its operations in Italy, where it has already contracted for more than 34 GW of renewable energy and is working to deploy renewable biofuels in its data centers. The Italian Cloud Region uses energy-efficient cooling systems, helping to reduce water consumption and increase environmental sustainability. In 2023, Microsoft released the “AI and Sustainability Playbook,” which outlines the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence to accelerate the climate challenge. In addition to designing, building and operating an AI infrastructure for sustainability, adopting AI can be a tool to achieve the speed and scale of sustainability solutions to address the climate challenge.