P P Cherian
New York: Global tech giant Microsoft on December 9 announced that it will invest $17.5 billion in India over the next four years to boost AI penetration in the country.
Largest investment in Asia: The investment is aimed at building India's cloud and AI infrastructure and skill development between 2026 and 2029. This is the largest investment by Microsoft in Asia.
Meeting with Prime Minister: The announcement came after Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'The world is optimistic about India when it comes to AI,' Prime Minister Modi tweeted after the meeting.
Objective: The main objectives of the investment are to develop cloud and AI infrastructure, strengthen skill development programs for employees, and expand existing data centers in cities like Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune.