"The $30bn (22bn) sets out the company's UK budget over the next four years and refers not just to artificial intelligence infrastructure but also ongoing operations across the UK. Microsoft said the number included $15bn in capital expenditure such as on equipment, land and buildings for AI and cloud services, areas where datacentres are key components. The other half will go on day-to-day operations such as research, sales and product development."
"Smith had criticised the UK in 2023 as being bad for business after Microsoft's takeover of the video games maker Activision was blocked a move that was later unwound. He told reporters on Tuesday that Microsoft had been encouraged by steps taken by the governments of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, with the latter helping on planning permission and energy access. We have a more stable opportunity to accelerate investment in the UK, Smith said."
Microsoft will allocate $30bn to UK operations over four years for AI infrastructure and ongoing operations. The package includes $15bn in capital expenditure for equipment, land and buildings for AI and cloud services, and $15bn for day-to-day operations including research, sales and product development. Microsoft will become a core customer of Nscale for an AI datacentre in Loughton, Essex. Microsoft criticised the UK in 2023 after an Activision takeover was blocked and later unwound, but was encouraged by steps from the governments of Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer on planning and energy access. Google pledged $5bn covering capital expenditure, R&D and engineering including work at DeepMind. The north-east will host an AI growth zone to ease planning and energy provision, with potential to unlock jobs and investment.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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