Microsoft is set to invest approximately $296.81 million in AI infrastructure in South Africa, alongside plans to fund certification exams for 50,000 people in digital skills. This comes in line with an earlier announcement of an $80 billion investment for AI and cloud infrastructure through fiscal 2025.
Microsoft has announced plans to invest an additional 5.4 billion rand, equivalent to approximately $296.81 million, into artificial intelligence infrastructure in South Africa. This significant investment was confirmed by Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, during an event held in Johannesburg. In addition to the infrastructure investment, Smith revealed plans to finance technical certification examinations for 50,000 individuals pursuing high-demand digital skills. Earlier this year, Microsoft detailed a broader strategy, intending to allocate around $80 billion during fiscal year 2025 for the development of data centres aimed at training AI models and deploying AI and cloud-based applications.
In summary, Microsoft’s substantial investment in South Africa highlights its commitment to enhancing AI infrastructure and fostering digital skills. The decision to cover technical certification costs for thousands further underscores the company’s efforts to equip the local workforce with vital expertise amidst a growing digital landscape. Overall, these initiatives contribute positively to the tech ecosystem in South Africa.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
