Microsoft, world leader in the technology sector, announces an investment of 4 billion euros to develop its cloud and AI infrastructures in France. This financial commitment, the company's largest to date in the country, was revealed during the Choose France summit. It aims to accelerate the adoption of AI and strengthen the competitiveness of the French digital ecosystem.
Strengthening cloud and AI infrastructures in France
The Microsoft firm will invest a colossal amount of 4 billion euros to boost its cloud and AI infrastructure in France. This ambitious project plans the extension of existing sites near Paris and Marseille, as well as the creation of a new data center in the Grand Est region, in Mulhouse.
Microsoft's efforts are not limited to the physical expansion of its facilities. The company is also committed to powering all of its operations in France with 100% renewable energy by 2025. This green shift includes the signing of its first long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) this month – here, with a goal of bringing 100 MW of new renewable energy projects online in France by the end of 2024.
AI training initiatives and startup support
Microsoft's announcement is part of a broader plan to develop AI skills, with the objective of training one million French people by 2027. Job seekers, professionals, students as well as SMEs will all benefit from this training program from the American IT giant.
To strengthen the impact of these training courses, Microsoft is also deploying “A Vous l’AI”, an initiative in collaboration with the micro-learning platform Kokoroe. This program aims to make learning AI accessible to everyone, through short, technologically agnostic modules, available on several online training platforms.
At the same time, Microsoft is launching the Microsoft GenAI Studio to boost the French startup ecosystem. The objective is to support more than 2,500 startups by 2027 in the adoption of AI. The program will begin with a four-month cycle at STATION F, enriched with technical workshops and collaboration spaces. It will be deployed in regions, with workshops and training in Microsoft Experiences Labs to integrate GenAI technologies locally.
These major Microsoft initiatives strengthen its presence in France, where it has operated since 1983 and employs more than 2,100 people. They also support France's ambition to become a leader in the field of AI and are consistent with recent recommendations from the French Commission for Artificial Intelligence.
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