Microsoft is to invest £2.5 billion into the UK's AI infrastructure over the next three years.
The tech giant will more than double its data centre footprint in the UK and intends to train over one million workers with the skills needed to develop and leverage AI.
Microsoft will also assist the UK's AI research and safety investments by growing its Accelerating Foundation Models Research programme, enhancing interdisciplinary research on AI alignment and safety, beneficial uses of AI, and AI-boosted scientific discovery in natural and life sciences. This UK effort intends to leverage AI and accelerate scientific discovery through multimodal data generation, as granted by privileged access to Microsoft’s AI tools.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commented:
Microsoft are one of the founding fathers of modern technology and today’s announcement is a turning point for the future of AI infrastructure and development in the UK. The UK started the global conversation on AI earlier this month, and Microsoft’s historic investment is further evidence of the leading role we continue to play in expanding the frontiers of AI to harness it’s economic and scientific benefits."
The announcement was delivered at one of Microsoft's new, next-gen data centre facilities under construction in North London, which will run entirely on renewable energy. Microsoft's data centre footprint will grow across sites in London, Cardiff and potentially northern England. Microsoft says it aims to create more than 20,000 AI-based jobs for the UK as a result while also bringing 20,000 advanced Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) critical to machine learning to the UK. by 2026.
"This infrastructure investment will help to meet the exploding demand for efficient, scalable and sustainable AI-specific compute power and the needs of the private and public sector waiting to take advantage of the latest cloud and AI breakthroughs," wrote Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President, in an accompanying blog post.
Smith outlined that, in practice, this means Microsoft will partner with several learning and non-profit organisations for the programme. They will focus on "building AI fluency, developing AI technical skills, supporting AI business transformation and promoting safe and responsible AI development and use, including the first Professional Certificate on Generative AI".
Microsoft will introduce AI safety and security measures across its own infrastructure.
"The pace of change in AI demands action today to build a prosperous future for the UK tomorrow," added Microsoft UK CEO Clare Barclay. "Today marks the single largest investment in our more than 40-year history in the UK. As business and the public sector embrace the AI opportunity, we are building the infrastructure that will support the growth they need, training the people who can deliver it responsibly and securing our society against emergent threats."
