Microsoft to Invest $4.3 Bn in France’s Cloud and AI Architecture

Microsoft has announced an investment of €4 billion ($4.3 billion) in France as part of the annual 'Choose France' business summit. The summit aims to position France as a European AI hub.

The company announced on May 13 that much of the investment money would focus on the cloud and AI sectors, with the goal of training 1 million people and supporting 2,500 AI startups by 2027.

This marks the tech giant’s largest investment in France in over four decades of doing business in the country. This major investment demonstrates a steadfast commitment to supporting digital innovation and economic growth in France,” Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said in the announcement.

“We are building state-of-the-art cloud and AI infrastructure, training people with AI skills, and supporting French startups as they use our technology with confidence to grow in a fair and responsible way,” said Vice Chair and President of Microsoft Brad Smith.

In addition, Microsoft will expand its data center footprint at existing sites in the Paris and Marseille regions through this investment, while also investing in the creation of a new data center in the eastern city of Mulhouse.