Microsoft invests $2.9 Billion in Japan for AI development

Microsoft has announced that it is investing $2.9 billion over the next two years in Japan, as per a report published by AFP on Wednesday. This move, announced alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Washington, highlights Tokyo’s commitment to becoming a major AI power.Microsoft’s Vice Chairman and President, Brad Smith, described this as the company’s largest investment in Japan in its 46-year history.

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Part of the investment includes providing more advanced computing resources, such as improved graphics processing units crucial for running AI applications. Additionally, Microsoft plans to train three million Japanese workers in AI skills over the next three years and open its first Microsoft Research Asia lab in Tokyo.

Two new AI research partnerships between U.S. and Japanese universities, funded by companies like Nvidia, Amazon, and Arm, aim to set new standards in AI development.