Microsoft pledges nearly $3 billion for Japanese data center expansion
Microsoft, currently the world's most valuable company by market capitalization, has announced a significant investment plan to pump $2.9 billion into the development of data centers across Japan by 2025. The move marks the company's largest financial commitment in Japan to date. The decision follows Tokyo's call for increased computing capabilities to support its rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
Announcement coincides with Japanese PM's visit to the US
The official announcement of this substantial investment is expected to be made in the coming hours, coinciding with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Washington. Microsoft President Brad Smith revealed these plans during an exclusive discussion with Nikkei. This strategic timing underscores the importance of the investment and its potential impact on Japan's technological landscape.
Microsoft is investing heavily in AI
Microsoft has been making significant investments in AI, with a focus on both internal development and expanding its reach in specific regions. Its investment in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has allowed the tech giant to commercialize most of OpenAI's technologies. In the AI race, it is much ahead of rivals such as Google and Apple. In fact, with a market capitalization of $3.14 trillion, it has toppled the iPhone maker to emerge as the world's most value company.
