Share

Microsoft bets on Italy: €4,3 billion investment to boost AI and cloud infrastructure

This represents the most ambitious investment plan of the Redmond group in our country and will be accompanied by an innovative training program to develop the digital skills of over a million Italians by the end of 2025.

Microsoft bets on Italy: €4,3 billion investment to boost AI and cloud infrastructure

Microsoft has decided to focus heavily onItalian, announcing a maxi investment da 4,3 billion euros in next two years, focusing on the expansion of hyperscale data center infrastructure cloud and on the strengthening of theartificial intelligence. This is the most significant project of the Redmond technology giant in our country. Alongside this project, a training program aimed at developing the skills digital of over one million Italians by the end of 2025.

In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly emerging as the new frontier of innovation, Italy does not intend to be left behind; for this reason, even Cdp Venture Capital has decided to join forces with OpenAI.

Cloud Region ItalyNorth: a strategic hub for Europe and the Mediterranean

The new Cloud Region ItalyNorth is set to become one of Microsoft's largest data center areas in Europe, helping to meet the Data Boundary requirements requested at the European level. Not only that, this infrastructure will serve as an important data hub for the Mediterranean and North Africa, supporting the global initiative for investment and infrastructure. This commitment is in line with the plan of the Italian Government under the G7 presidency, which aims to promote collaboration with the Global South.

Strengthening digital skills: the “National Skilling Initiative” programme

To complete this ambitious project, the US giant is starting a major expansion of its data center in Settala, in the province of Milan. But it's not just about expanding the physical facilities; the company has also committed to strengthening the Artificial Intelligence-Related Skills. The program "National Skilling Initiative” aims to qualify over one million people in Italy by the end of 2025, focusing on AI technical skills, business transformation and responsible technology development. Among the initiatives key stand out “Include to Grow“, dedicated to the women who, after maternity, re-enter the job market, and "Ital.IA LAB“, developed by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. This program involves the creation of hubs in the area for learning generative AI, with particular attention to supporting women and people living in disadvantaged areas.

Microsoft and the meeting at Palazzo Chigi: Brad Smith's message

Yesterday, Wednesday 2 October, Brad Smith, vice president and president of Microsoft, gave a keynote at the Luiss Guido Carli University, focusing his speech on AI. Immediately after, he was received by the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who expressed her “satisfaction” for this important investment. Only the previous day, the Prime Minister had also discussed data centers with Larry Fink, chairman of investment giant BlackRock. In the background, the meeting between Meloni and Musk in New York last week.

Smith said: “This historic investment reinforces our commitment to Italy’s digital transformation. We want to expand access to our technology and develop the skills needed to build an AI-driven economy, creating new opportunities for jobs and prosperity.”

During his speech, Smith also highlighted the importance of responsible governance for AI, saying: “It is critical to ensure broad and inclusive access. We also need to address the risks associated: what problems might arise and what are the sensitive uses of this technology?”

He concluded by citing the example of the commercial aviation sector, where regulatory interoperability enables seamless air transport between different countries: “If we can ensure that technology can move across borders, we can build a safer and more collaborative ecosystem.”

comments