Microsoft announced on Thursday its largest-ever investment in Australia, pledging A$25 billion (approximately USD 18 billion) by the end of 2029. This initiative is designed to boost computing and artificial intelligence capacity, betting on growing demand for the technology and pushing the company deeper into the AI market in the Asia-Pacific region.
The investment focuses on cloud and digital infrastructure, specifically spanning AI development and cybersecurity. This commitment builds upon a previous A$5 billion investment made in October 2023.
Key goals of the project include expanding Azure AI supercomputing capacity by more than 140% and extending the Microsoft-ASD Cyber-Shield to additional government agencies. Furthermore, Microsoft aims to train three million Australians in AI skills by 2028.