Microsoft to Invest $3.3Bn in Wisconsin’s Cloud and AI Infra

Microsoft recently announced a major investment package that would transform Southeast Wisconsin into a hub for AI-powered economic activity, innovation, and job creation.

Key highlights of the investments include:

1. US $3.3 Billion in cloud computing and AI infrastructure

2. Creation of the country’s first manufacturing-focused AI co-innovation lab

3. An AI skilling initiative to equip more than 100,000 of the state’s residents with essential AI skills.

“Wisconsin has a rich and storied legacy of innovation and ingenuity in manufacturing,” said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. “We will use the power of AI to help advance the next generation of manufacturing companies, skills, and jobs in Wisconsin and across the country. This is what a big company can do to build a strong foundation for every medium, small, startup company, and non-profit everywhere.”

The company plans to invest US$3.3 billion through 2026 to expand Wisconsin’s cloud and AI infrastructure. This initiative includes constructing a cutting-edge data center campus, expected to generate 2,300 union construction jobs by 2025 and offer long-term employment opportunities.

Additionally, Microsoft is set to collaborate with Gateway Technical College to form a Data Center Academy that would train and certify over 1,000 students in the next five years for employment.

To foster a vibrant regional AI innovation ecosystem, Microsoft will inaugurate a first-in-the U.S. manufacturing-focused AI Co-Innovation Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Through this lab, Wisconsin manufacturers will collaborate with Microsoft's AI specialists and developers to devise and prototype AI and cloud solutions. Expectedly, the lab targets assisting 270 Wisconsin companies by 2030 to advance operations and amplify growth.

Considering the pivotal role of education in AI advancement, Microsoft’s investment also includes collaboration with community partners to upskill 100,000 individuals in generative AI across Wisconsin by 2030.