Microsoft said it will spend A$5 billion ($3.2 billion) over two years to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing capabilities in Australia as part of a broad effort that includes skills training and cybersecurity. The US tech giant said it will increase computing capacity in Australia by 250%, allowing the world's 13th largest economy to meet demand for cloud computing - the practice of storing data on an independent network - which is expected to double from 2022 to 2026 as artificial intelligence becomes more common.
Since Microsoft-backed OpenAI shocked the tech world in 2022 with the launch of powerful language model ChatGPT, Microsoft has begun public consultations on the regulation of artificial intelligence.
Microsoft said that in addition to AU$5 billion, it will support training 300,000 Australians in the skills needed to "succeed in the digital economy" and expand a cyber threat information sharing agreement with Australia's cybersecurity agency, the Australian Signals Directorate.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement released by Microsoft: "This is a significant investment in the skills and workers of the future. We need to deliver the skills to enable Australians to work in the jobs of the future. Achieve success. "
Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith said the spending plan "demonstrates our commitment to Australia's growth và thịnh vượng trong thời đại trí tuệ nhân tạo.”
Microsoft Australia general manager Steven Worrall said the spending "will not only make the digital economy more secure and reliable, but will also provide a platform to promote growth and innovation in the artificial intelligence era."
The company did not elaborate on how it would use the AU$5 billion, except that it would significantly increase its computing power. The company said it will expand its data center footprint in Australia from 20 to 29.
A recent report co-authored by Microsoft says that rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence, a form of automation that adapts to new data inputs, could contribute up to AU$115 billion per year to the Australian economy by 2030.
There are no regulations specifically targeting artificial intelligence in Australia, but copyright lawyers and human rights groups say the technology must have some protections to prevent bias, copyright infringement and privacy breaches.