Microsoft Promises IDR 50.4 Trillion Investment For Artificial Intelligence Development In Germany

JAKARTA - Microsoft pledged to invest the funds to improve artificial intelligence infrastructure in Germany, as Big Tech continues to invest in Europe.

The announcement of the funding was made by Microsoft president and vice chairman Brad Smith on February 15 at an event held in the German capital regarding his future engagement plans for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud in the country.

Microsoft will focus on building new data centers in Germany and training people in developing AI skills. According to a report from Reuters, this is Microsoft's biggest investment in Germany in 40 years.

Europe has proven to be fertile ground for investment from major tech developers. On the same day, the French Ministry of Finance released a statement disclosing Google's plans to set up a new center dedicated to AI in France.

According to the announcement, the center will be based in Paris and accommodate nearly 300 researchers and engineers to support the country's AI ambitions.

The announcement comes just days after Google announced "Initiative AI Opportunities for Europe" on February 12. Through this scheme, Google said it would invest 25 million euros (Rp420.4 billion) to support skills training for Europeans in the AI sector.

Google said it was working with governments in the European Union, along with civil society, academics, and businesses to offer AI training to local startups, with 10 million of them targeted for workers who need these skills to avoid being "advantaged".

The Italian government introduced a similar initiative in 2023, in which it said it would set aside millions of euros to develop digital skills of workers who risk losing their jobs due to automation and AI.

This investment in European AI infrastructure and skills comes as EU lawmakers prepare to establish a historic EU AI Act legislative. On February 13, regulators approved an initial agreement for the legislation, with parliamentary votes scheduled for April this year.

The EU AI Act will be one of the world's first regulatory sets to monitor AI's development and implementation, the second after China, which released its own regulatory set on the technology in August 2023.