Microsoft Expands Digital Footprint In Quebec with Major Investment, Enhancing AI Capabilities

Microsoft Corp MSFT revealed plans to enhance its digital infrastructure in Quebec, introducing new AI and cybersecurity training programs. These initiatives aim to boost the province's dynamic innovation economy, generate high-value employment opportunities, and equip Quebec for the emerging AI economy.

Also Read: Microsoft's AI Future Is Bright After Tapping Altman, OpenAI's Is Uncertain: Analysts

The company looks to invest $500 million to expand its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Quebec over the coming two years. This expansion will augment Microsoft's cloud infrastructure footprint in Canada by 750%.

In conjunction with this announcement, Ernst & Young LLP (EY) released a report indicating that Microsoft and its Quebec ecosystem, encompassing over 3,200 partners and significant cloud infrastructure accounts, are instrumental in supporting more than 57,000 jobs and contributing over $6.4 billion annually to Quebec's GDP.

Microsoft's investment in Quebec will expand its computing capacity by approximately 240% over the next three years. This investment will hasten AI innovation and allow Quebec organizations to enhance the substantial ability established in the province, including a data center region initiated in 2016. Notably, Microsoft pioneered introducing enterprise-grade, hyper-scale cloud services in Quebec.

Microsoft is also working with industry leaders in Quebec on initiatives to help people gain the skills and capabilities they need to succeed in the digital economy by providing access to learning resources, certifications, and job-seeking tools. 

This week, Amazon.Com Inc AMZN announced a new commitment to provide free AI skills training to 2 million people globally by 2025.

The initiatives include free generative AI courses and an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Scholarship.

Price Action: MSFT shares traded higher by 1.74% at $379.58 on the last check Wednesday.