Microsoft is investing heavily in Italy, building one of Europe's largest data centers and pledging to train more than 1 million Italians in AI skills.

Microsoft has announced an investment of 4.3 billion euros (about 4.7 billion USD) over the next two years to expand its cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Italy. According to the plan, Microsoft will develop a large-scale AI data center in Northern Italy, making this area one of Microsoft's largest data centers in Europe.

This is also an important step, demonstrating Microsoft's long-term commitment to collaborating with the Italian government to develop a sustainable and innovative economy. "This important investment is our long-term commitment to the digital transformation process in Italy," said Brad Smith, Vice President and President of Microsoft. "This important investment is our long-term commitment to the digital transformation process in Italy."

According to research by TEHA Group and Microsoft Italy, widespread adoption of AI could add 312 billion euros to Italy's annual GDP over the next 15 years, equivalent to a growth rate of 18.2%. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of the Italian economy, could benefit with an added value of up to 122 billion euros.

However, the study also found that 63% of Italian entrepreneurs admit to lacking generative AI skills. To meet the growing demand for AI computing and cloud services, Microsoft is committed to providing AI skills training programs that will provide AI knowledge to more than 1 million Italians by 2025.

These training initiatives will target both vulnerable communities, including postpartum women and people in southern Italy, in collaboration with training partners, universities, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Microsoft's idea to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure in Italy. Source: Microsoft.

Some notable examples include the ELIS non-profit’s “Include to Grow” initiative, which aims to reduce educational poverty and support the entry of disadvantaged people into the workforce, or Ital.IA LAB, which focuses on building AI learning infrastructure in rural areas, especially in southern Italy, to educate youth, job seekers, and workers in disadvantaged areas.